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Wasps name new Club Captain and Signings
14 August 2008
London Wasps have announced that hooker Raphael Ibanez has been named new Club Captain for the 2008/09 season. The former captain of France and the worlds most capped international hooker with 98 appearances for Les Bleus, takes over from Lawrence Dallaglio who retired from rugby after Wasps’ victorious Premiership campaign in May.
Regarded as one of the best front row players in the game, Ibanez is highly respected by all his peers and has been described by Head Coach, Shaun Edwards as one of the most popular signings ever made by the club - factors which allowed Ian McGeechan an easy path to his captaincy decision for 2008/09. He is also a proven leader having captained his country in two Rugby World Cups alongside an impressive role of honour of four Six Nations winners’ medals with France and three trophies in as many seasons at Wasps.
Ian McGeechan has also completed his squad for the upcoming season having announced the signings of Serge Betsen, Mark Robinson and Lachlan Mitchell with Hugo Ellis graduating from the Wasps Academy.
Flanker Betsen joins from Biarritz Olympique, his only professional club to date. The Cameroon born player was named IRB World Player of the Year in 2002 and is a veteran of two Rugby World Cups, in 2003 and 2007. Scrum half and former All Black Robinson joins Wasps after five seasons with Northampton Saints. 20 year old Sydney University centre and former member of the Waratahs Academy, Lachlan Mitchell joins on a two year contract on the recommendation of former England prop and current Sydney University coach, Trevor Woodman.
All the players will hope to feature regularly in the team as the defending champions kick off their Premiership campaign against Harlequins at Twickenham on 6 September (kick off at 2.30pm, live on Sky Sports).
