Elliot Daly to leave Wasps at end of season

Elliot Daly appears set to join Premiership champions Saracens after Wasps confirmed the versatile England back will leave the Ricoh Arena at the end of the 2018-19 season. 

Daly, who started at full-back on Saturday as England beat Ireland in round one of the Six Nations, has been strongly linked with a move to Saracens. 

The British and Irish Lion, 26, has activated a release clause in his contract at Wasps, enabling him to leave when this season concludes. 

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” said Daly in a statement, before rubbishing reports that had suggested his departure was linked to a contract clause relating to the redevelopment of Wasps’ training ground. 

“Despite some of the rumours flying around, the training ground has nothing to do with why I’ve come to my decision to leave,” Daly insisted. “I simply feel it is the right time for me to seek a new challenge next season after the World Cup. 

“Wasps will always have a special place in my heart and I will certainly be giving everything to the jersey to try and finish the season strongly.”

Wasps can confirm that Elliot Daly will be leaving the Club at the end of the season.

More at https://t.co/Qt1qmNnpmY pic.twitter.com/d0vxKDUbn5

— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) February 4, 2019

The news represents another blow for Wasps, who will lose Nathan Hughes to Bristol at the end of the campaign.

“We are really disappointed to lose Elliot,” said director of rugby Dai Young. “We brought him through the ranks from his teenage years and have seen him flourish into an established England international and also a British and Irish Lion.

“He has really developed his all-round game in the black and gold, having been a tremendous performer for us over the years, and I am sure he will continue to give his all for the club till the end of the season.”

Daly, who has featured for club and country in a variety of positions in the backline, has scored 404 points in 188 appearances for Wasps.

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