Marty Moore is said to be joining Wasps on a three-year deal.
Following the confirmed departure of Ian Madigan to Bordeaux, Leinster are set to lose another Irish international to a high-bidding suitor.
According to The Irish Times, Moore’s move to the Premiership side is a foregone conclusion. Leinster reportedly offered him a two-year deal but Wasps offered a better package from 2016 to 2019.
The 24-year-old, who missed the World Cup through injury, is set to follow in Jimmy Gopperth and Brendan Macken’s steps and move to the Coventry-based side.
This is a major blow to the Irish province, and Irish rugby in general.
Leinster Rugby told SportsJOE they do not comment on speculation until all their deals are done and finalised.
“That has been the case the last two seasons,” stated a Leinster spokesperson, “and, where a player does decide to leave, we would make a joint announcement with the club in question in a professional manner.”
Moore is generally regarded as the outstanding candidate to replace Mike Ross as Ireland’s tighthead. The prop has 10 Irish caps and has 56 appearances over the past four seasons with Leinster.
Whether or not the Kildare native now is included in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for the Six Nations will give an indication if players moving abroad still have a chance of international selection.
Wasps are said to be open to releasing Moore for Ireland duty.
The mid 1990s exodus of Irish rugby talent could be upon us again.
