PREMIERSHIP CLUB WASPS will make their controversial move to Coventry as early as December, it was confirmed this morning.
The former London-based side will continue to play fixtures in Adams Park in High Wycombe for the next two months, but chief executive Nick Eastwood’s statement said that their first game at the Ricoh Arena would be against either Castres in the ERCC (December 12, 13 or 14) or London Irish (December 21).
Leinster will travel England a month later to play their sixth round Champions Cup pool fixture against the wandering club on the weekend of January 23.
“We fully appreciate this move will unsettle many of our supporters,” says Eastwood, “and I would like to stress that this decision has not been taken lightly.
“The reality of the situation is clear – less than two years ago Wasps was just hours away from going out of business. It is only thanks to our current owner Derek Richardson stopping that we are here today.”
Eastwood also stated: “Today’s announcement is a watershed moment in the history of Wasps and the professional game. It will help us realise our ambition to re-establish ourselves as one of the best teams in Europe and will guarantee the long-term success of the club.”
