WASPS HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of Leinster out-half Jimmy Gopperth ahead of next season.
The New Zealand native joined the Irish province from Newcastle at the start of the 2013/14 season and helped Matt O’Connor’s side to a Pro12 title in that first campaign.
However, with Johnny Sexton set to return to Leinster next season from Racing Métro, it was likely that Gopperth’s opportunities in the 10 shirt would have been more limited, while the homegrown Ian Madigan would have continued to provide competition.
The once-capped Junior All Black will instead move back to England, where he won Premiership Golden Boot awards in 2010 and 2011.
“I have had a great time at Leinster and it has been a brilliant experience and I haven’t taken the decision lightly,” said Gopperth of his departure.
“This season is very much still on the line and we are in contention for two trophies and I am looking forward to fighting on both fronts over the coming months.
I’d like to thank Matt [O'Connor], Marco [Caputo], Leo [Cullen], Richie [Murphy] and all of the coaches during my time at Leinster for the opportunity to play in this environment and for this club with such a tradition and history.”
Gopperth also spoke of his pride at representing Leinster’s supporters and admitted to having made “a very tough decision” in opting to join Dai Young’s Wasps set-up.
Meanwhile, Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor thanked Gopperth for his services to the province:
“Jimmy has been an integral part of this environment for the last 18 months or so and will be missed,” said the Australian, before underlining how much Madigan, Cathal Marsh, Steve Crosbie and Ross Byrne have learned from Gopperth.
“We are disappointed to lose a player of his calibre and experience but we understand his reasoning. At this stage in his career, he wants to be playing consistently and regularly and the opportunity to go to a club like Wasps was too good an opportunity for him to turn down.
“We wish him and [Sarah] and the kids the very best of luck with the move but would re-iterate that there is still plenty of rugby to play between now and then.”
Andy Good is the current incumbent in Wasps’ number 10 shirt, but his playing contract expires at the end of the season. Director of Rugby Young did, however, confirm that Goode has been offered a coaching role at the club.
21-year-old prospect Alex Lozowski will compete with Gopperth at out-half for Wasps next season.
Predictable move, and a good one for all parties. Despite the flak he has received – some justified, some not – he is a good player whose commitment and professionalism cannot be questioned.
With Sexton out of at least the start of the 6N, it would seem that the word has come down from Schmidt that Madigan needs to start playing at 10. Bad for Jimmy, but positive for Madigan, Leinster and Ireland.
Best of luck to Gopperth.
Madigan on the bench in Leinster would hardly be good for both his own game and Ireland’s, would only love to see him come out West where he’d get first team rugby.
Why would we send him out west though? Sexton won’t be starting every game next season so we’ll need cover.
Same reason Cronin and McCarthy Carr shouldn’t have left, the more game time you get the better the player you become. Madigan has the potential to be every bit as good as ROG and Johnny but not if he’s messed around with between the bench and inside centre
And on a more biased note, a Marmion-Madigan partnership would be absolutely mouthwatering!
I take your point about McCarthy (probably too old when he tried to step “up”) & Carr (never good enough at Leinster, despite being a great finisher).
However, I cannot agree re Cronin. He has been first choice in Dublin for most of the past two seasons. He has played almost 70 games in 3.5 seasons at Leinster. Also, of his 38 caps, almost all have come since his move. Strauss’ health problems have certainly contributed to Cronin’s game time, but that is the nature of pro rugby now. You need to have two players (at least) for each position. Cronin’s move to Leinster has been a great success for him and for the club.
Good signing at the time by Joe Schmidt lest we forget , playing the MOC way has not suited him either . No room for him at Leinster so he has made a great choice .
Well there goes the scapegoat…
With all due respect to Gopperth, I’m really pleased with this news. We’re right to keep the Irish talent in Ireland and I would’ve hated to see Gopperth stay & Maddser go
Matt O Connor’s ability to get the word environment into every interview continues to astound me.
Bad news for Ireland. Madigan should have gone to Connacht for games while Jimmy stayed where he was.
With Connacht having already established 2 fly-halves, it would be hard at times for Madigan to break into that first team, Rochelle.
Are you serious Conor?
Jimmy off the Leinster pay-roll, replaced with Sexton coming back on an IRFU central contract and a non-Irish qualified player spot free’d up in the squad. Alls well that ends well.