Six signings on Wasps' radar (From Bucks Free Press)

Six signings on Wasps' radar

9:50am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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WASPS expect to announce six new signings in the coming weeks while also confirming new deals for existing players out of contract this summer.

Rob Webber, Will Matthews and Richard Birkett have already penned new deals at the club, and director of rugby Tony Hanks, inset, is confident a clutch of other stars are also staying put.

He said: “We’re just tidying up most of them. We’re pretty comfortable with where we’re at for next year.”

Hanks also expects fans to get excited by his signings.

He said: “We’ve gone through a lot of work to make sure that we bring in people that are going to add value.

“I think in terms of the first team we’re talking about half a dozen new players and I think everyone is great news.

“We’ve got to get signatures on contracts but over the next two or three weeks we’ll have quite a bit of good news.”

However, Hanks says some of the arrivals that slip under the radar are just as positive for Wasps.

He said: “While there is a short-term focus season to season, part of my job is to make sure Wasps are going to be a strong team for a long time to come.

“Some of the signings for the academy will be just as important to me. While everyone likes to see the big marquee signing, we’re really excited about some of the academy guys that are coming in as well.”

l Brive centre Riki Flutey has cooled speculation of a return to Wasps in the summer.

The 30-year-old said: “The whole thing about what I do next year is all speculation. It’s not bothering me at all.

“Simon Gillham [Brive director] has told me I’m contracted for another year, simple as that. If that’s what he says I should do, that’s it. It’s not playing on my mind.”

Gillham says he has not received any offers for Flutey.