Aviva Premiership
Wasps hope move will help them keep Launchbury
ESPN Staff
October 9, 2014
England's Joe Launchbury keeps his eye on the ball, Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, Surrey, England, November 22, 2012
Joe Launchbury - out of contract in the summer © Getty Images
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Wasps hope their relocation to Coventry will persuade Joe Launchbury to commit his future to the club and reject overtures from Saracens.

With their move to Coventry decided on, convincing Launchbury to sign an extension to his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season, is now the No.1 priority.

"We've had have to demonstrate certain things to Joe to make his decision easier," director of rugby Dai Young. "He wanted to know that we're an ambitious club, that we will attract players and improve the squad and that we won't overplay him.

"He's not demanding that we win things, but certainly that we compete. And on top of that he wants clear evidence that we're sustainable. I think we've pretty much ticked all those boxes now.

"Whatever Saracens offer him - and we know they can't speak to him until January - we have to pay the market value. They're professional players and we have to pay what they're worth. Discussions are ongoing but we expect to put this to bed in the next month to six weeks. If it goes on any longer you have to fear the worst."

Young said that the move meant the club now had the financial clout to compete with rivals. "I'm shopping in Marks & Spencer now when I have been in Lidl for three years. It is a different shop. I am looking at a different market, different players. It is really exciting to think of the players."

Signing and retaining top names is crucial if the club is to come close to even half filling the 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena. At present Wasps average around 6000 for a home game at Adams Park and have 3000 season ticket holders.

"We know that the stadium will take a bit of filling and that will take a lot of hard work. It's my task to try and attract three or four big-name players that can excite the local rugby followers and attract new supporters."

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