Bassett buzzing over Wasps switch

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Bassett of England scores a try during the RBS Under-20 Six Nations match between England-U20 and Wales-U20 at Twickenham Stoop on February 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The departing Bedford Blues winger has scored 11 tries in the Championship this term and said: “This (Bedford) has been my home for four years and made me the player I am.

“Bedford is a good club for me, they play a good style of rugby and that is what attracted me to Wasps.

“They are very similar to ourselves and they put the ball in the wingers’ hands and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The 21-year-old will go head-to-head with the likes of England international Tom Varndell and Christian Wade for a spot on the wing as he continued: “I am quite new to rugby so it would be great to get some of their experience and be in a professional environment.”

Bassett will link up with Tommy Bell, Nathan Morris and Alec Hepburn at London Wasps who were all team-mates when he represented England at the Junior World Championships in South Africa last summer.

London Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “Josh fits the bell perfectly for what we are trying to achieve here.

“He’s young, he’s very ambitious and he’s English and he’ll be an excellent addition to our set up.

“We have some very talented wingers in our squad but he’s got a big future and having impressed hugely at Championship level we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do with us.”

Blues director of rugby, Mike Rayer, admitted the lure of Premiership rugby was too good for his young winger to turn down.

He added: “It is the opportunity. They (Wasps) have got two great wingers there and he can learn a lot off those two.

“If Christian Wade keeps doing what he’s doing, Josh will get a few opportunities because he will be away with England.”