Gloucester sign scrum-half Joe Simpson

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Gloucester have confirmed that England international scrum-half Joe Simpson will join the club from Wasps ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Simpson has been one of the most consistent performers over the past decade in the Premiership, making in excess of 200 performances for Wasps having graduated from their academy.

At international level, he has represented England at U19 and U20 level, taking part in the inaugural Junior World Championship in Wales in 2008, as well as playing for the Sevens and Saxons teams.

Currently Wasps’ longest-serving player, Simpson is also a full international, having represented England in Rugby World Cup 2011.

He has deservedly earned a reputation as one of the top number nines in the Premiership. He possesses an eye for a gap, the pace to exploit it as well as a superb tactical kicking game and quality service off either hand.

And according to director of rugby David Humphreys, his ability and experience will be a valuable addition to the first team squad.

“As we seek to build a squad that is capable of competing for honours at the highest level of the domestic and European game, strength in depth in our squad is crucial. And the addition of Joe to our ranks is a very significant one,” he said.

“His background speaks for itself, he has been one of the top performing scrum-halves throughout his career at Wasps, and has shown this season that he’s still performing at the very top of his game.

“Joe’s signing means that we will have significant experience and ability at the scrum-half position next season and we’re all very much looking forward to seeing him in Cherry and White.”

Heading in the other direction is Ben Vellacott, who has agreed to sign for Wasps ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

Vellacott has racked up 45 appearances for Gloucester to date, having crossed the whitewash on 12 occasions.

His breakthrough season came in 2017/18 where he made 27 appearances, scoring seven tries and subsequently being called up to train with the England squad.

He previously spent time at Hartpury College, while he was also a part of the Scotland under-20 squad for the Junior World Championship in 2015.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “Ben is a young player with a huge amount of potential.

“He is a hungry young athlete who will be keen to compete for a starting place and that’s exactly what we need in order to drive standards across the squad.

“We’re looking forward to having him join in the summer as the pace at which he plays the game is something that will no doubt benefit our backline.”