Wasps wing Tom Varndell on a tough season
Wasps winger has endured a torrid season with injury, made even worse by his exceptional start to the season he made. Tom gave us an insight into how difficult the season has been for him and how optimistic he is over the future of the club.
How would you sum up the season so far for Wasps? Both domestically and in Europe?
The season so far has been a difficult one with many games not going our way therefore we currently sit in 11th place. Unfortunately the squad/team has taken a battering on the injury front. We have had a total of 15 injuries & retirements which has had a big impact on the outcome of many of the games. Although we have had a torrid time, the team remains positive and spirits are high, we're very lucky that we have a tight team and this is a period we will come through and be stronger because of it.
With the recent contract extensions for Tim Payne and Hugo Southwell, the return of James Haskell to the club and the news a new owner is on the horizon, how excited are you about your future at Wasps?
Very excited! It's almost a bit like feeling that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The new players we've signed for next season are all special players and they are really going to strengthen the squad. Getting a new owner is also exciting, but this is something as players we don't need to focus on too much, it's more about the financial stability for the club and London Wasps being able to grow and move forward as a brand not just a rugby team. Obviously we have got to keep pushing forward this season on the playing side of things and climb our way of the current situation we find ourselves in.
The club has a history of developing great young talent, just how far do you think the likes of Christian Wade, Elliot Daly and Billy Vunipola can go for club and even country?
The younger guys in the team have been one of the main positives of this season. All of them have really made positive strides in all the games they have been part of. For most of them this has been there first season of 1st XV rugby so they are just going to get better and better. All of them have the potential to be future England stars, London Wasps have brought them all up through the academy system so it's fantastic to have home grown talent of that quality coming through the club.
Christian Wade, Elliot Daly and Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury and Sam Jones are definitely names for the future, I believe all five will play for England if they keep developing the way they have this season.
How frustrating has this season been for you, both on a club level given the disruption the squad has had through injuries and retirements, and also on a personal level given that you have missed a significant amount of games through injury yourself?
It's so frustrating! Being injured is possibly the worst thing for a player. Watching the team struggle is even tougher to take, especially when you're unable to do anything to help.
Hopefully this injury will be the last one for a while (touch wood). I'm desperate to get back playing, hopefully I'm not too far away and I can be out on the pitch very soon.
Do you have any hopes of playing rugby again this season?
Yes definitely, rehab is going well and I'm on target to play this season.
A lot of people, myself included, were tipping you for an England call up after an excellent start to the season, is this the aim for you if you can stay fit and healthy next season?
Yeah definitely, playing for England again still remains my aim and hopefully I can do that. I intend to come back stronger than before my injury. One positive which has come out of this period of injury is that I have been able to work on areas of my game physically and mentally that were not as strong as before! If I can finish this season strong and start next season playing well then hopefully I'll have every chance of pulling on a England shirt again.
And finally Tom, the rise of Christian Wade has been quite meteoric, but who is the fastest out of you two?
Me!!
Credit - Getty Images & Big Red Management
