Benetton Treviso have completed the signing of former Wasps half, Jacob Umaga, until June 2024.
With his dad Mike and uncle Tana playing at international level, it was inevitable that Jacob would take up rugby and do well in his own right.
Centre Mike Umaga won 13 caps for Samoa and Tana, a centre/wing, played 74 times for New Zealand and captained the All Blacks.
Jacob, who has been called up by Eddie Jones on numerous occasions, was one of 167 players and staff made redundant after the Gallagher Premiership fell into administration on October 17.
“This is a great rugby and life opportunity for my girlfriend and me. We will live in a beautiful part of the world being able to play in a first class club,” said Umaga.
“It is also an opportunity for me to start over with a new club and face a new challenge with new teammates and I am looking forward to it. There were several reasons that led me to make this decision, among them: the fact that I will play in the URC with a team made up of excellent players with great potential and that I will find Andrea Masi who trained me at the Wasps in the academy.
“In addition, the presence in the team of some players with whom I played together with the wasps helped me make this decision.
“I arrive in Treviso with the aim of putting the team in the best possible position in the league, “said Umaga, fresh from signing with Benetton Rugby.”
Four city shortlist for Wasps, Phil Vickery picks ‘brilliant’ new home
Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and his team have reportedly ‘agreed an eight figure sum’ for the Coventry Building Society Arena.
It’s now expected Wasps will likely leave the city, though Ashley’s team hasn’t ruled out the rugby team staying in Cov.
The two-time European champions have been suspended and will be relegated from the Gallagher Premiership after entering administration.
In better news, Wasps’ joint administrators confirmed that an offer has been accepted from a consortium including members of the Wasps Legends.
The offer is only for the men’s rugby team and youth academy, with separate discussions currently ongoing for Wasps Women’s Rugby and Wasps Netball clubs.
It’s been revealed that ‘a number of cities are under consideration’ as Wasps hope to prepare for life in the Championship next season
Wasps four-city shortlist:
#1. London
Former Wasps prop Phil Vickery believes the club must leave Coventry and return to London.
He is part of a consortium of former Wasps players trying to buy the men’s team and the academy.
“To see Wasps come back to London would be awesome,” Vickery told Sky Sports News.
“I associate Wasps with London, but it’s easier said than done. They’ve tried for years to get the opportunity to do that.
“Yes, it would be brilliant – but let’s focus on getting the club up and running.”
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