News

Waters sets sail for Italy

May 25 2008

England and Wasps centre Fraser Waters is leaving London after signing a two-year contract with Treviso of Italy.

Waters, who signed his first professional contract with Wasps ten years ago, has gone on to make 217 senior appearances to date, scoring 201 points and winning all six club finals that he has played in the black in gold strip.

Despite only three England caps, Waters has developed into one of Wasps' key players, culminating in his man-of-the-match performance in Wasps Heineken Cup Final win at Twickenham last May.

"I've always wanted to play abroad, and as the end of my career is not too far away I felt this was my last chance to take that opportunity," said the 32-year-old.

"I wanted to go somewhere with an interesting culture and way of life, and I'm looking forward to the change in lifestyle and learning another language.

"It was also important to me to go to a club that will win things, and though Treviso haven't been a force in Europe, they are certainly a very competitive club in Italy.

"They are going well in the Italian league this year, and have an opportunity to qualify for Europe next season, so who knows - I could find myself running out against Wasps in the Heineken Cup next season!

"The Wasps supporters have been brilliant over the years. The club have asked a lot of them - moving stadiums twice since I first played for Wasps - but the loyalty of our supporters has been outstanding, and it's great to see how things have built since we first arrived at Wycombe.

"I'd like to thank everyone who supports Wasps for their passion and commitment to the club and the players during my time at the club, and being asked to be President of the Supporters Club for the last season has been a true honour.

"Finally, can I thank everyone I have played with, the medical teams who have supported me through injury and got me back to fitness, and the coaches I have been lucky enough to work under in the last ten years.

"It has been a fantastic time, and Wasps will always hold a very big, very special place in my heart."

Wasps boss Ian McGeechan added: "Fraser has been a cornerstone of London Wasps, our performance and success over the last ten years.

"He has been a fantastic servant of the club, and has helped to make the team what it is today.

"Fraser is going to Italy with our blessing, and on behalf of everyone at Wasps I wish him well in his Italian adventure!"

Meanwhile, Wasps have confirmed that scrum-half Simon Amor will be leaving Adams Park at the end of this season for pastures new.

Amor, who joined the club from Gloucester two seasons ago, will be taking up two exciting new roles, as a performance advisor for UK Sport and player coach at London Scottish.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate and privileged to have been part of a club I consider is the bench mark for professional sides in Europe," said Amor.

"Having had the opportunity to work and learn from with such a talented group of players and coaches has been sensational. I have been really lucky and I would like to thank everyone for all their help.

"I have hugely enjoyed my time at Wasps, but I feel that now the time is right to move on to a different challenge.

"I'll be taking up a role with UK Sport as a performance advisor, so having seen at firsthand how a successful a team is created and run has been a fantastic experience for me.

"I will also be working as a player coach at London Scottish, so I won't be too far away, and hopefully I'll be able to able to forge a strong relationship between them and Wasps in the years to come."

As well as his work with UK Sport and London Scottish, Amor is also hoping to continue working with the England Women's Sevens squad.

"Working with England Women's Sevens squad is something I have enjoyed this year," he added.

"They are a great side to work with and were fantastic last weekend, winning the Amsterdam tournament by getting past a New Zealand Maori team who had been unbeaten for four years."

Director of Rugby McGeechan was also grateful to Amor for his work over the past two years.

"Simon has been a very important member of the squad in the last two seasons," McGeechan said.

"He brought valuable experience to the scrum-half role for us, and we are delighted with what he has done for the club.

"He is a great example of a professional sportsman, and we wish him well in his future ventures."