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Wasps quintet, including Jimmy Gopperth and Ashley Johnson, sign new contracts at Ricoh Arena

New Zealand-born Gopperth arrived at the Ricoh Arena in 2015 and has scored 771 points in 78 appearances for the club

Tuesday 25 December 2018 17:22 GMT

Jimmy Gopperth has yet to appear this season as an ACL injury has seen him sidelined for four months (Getty)

Wasps quintet Jimmy Gopperth, Ashley Johnson, Tommy Taylor, Simon McIntyre and Ben Harris have agreed new contracts with the club.

New Zealand-born Gopperth arrived at the Ricoh Arena in 2015 and has scored 771 points in 78 appearances for the club, but has yet to appear this season as an ACL injury has seen him sidelined for four months.

Hooker Johnson has been with Wasps since 2012, scoring 38 tries in 175 games, while loosehead prop Harris joined the club ahead of the 2017/18 season and has gone on to play 65 times for Wasps.

Loosehead prop McIntyre joined the club from Sale in 20011 and has made 153 appearances over eight seasons.

Hooker Taylor is another Wasps player that made the switch from the Sharks and has turned out 41 times for the club.

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

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1/15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ken Owens (Wales)

The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Kyle Sinckler (England)

Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Maro Itoje (England)

The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)

Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Mark Wilson (England)

Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.

EPA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Owen Farrell (England)

Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

George North (Wales)

Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Israel Folau (Australia)

The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.

Getty Images

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young hopes the influence of Gopperth can help nurture the young talent in Coventry.

He told the club's official website: "Jimmy has been a remarkable performer for us over the last few seasons.

"It's been frustrating that we haven't been able to see him on the field this season but we can't wait to have him back and we're delighted he's signed a new deal.

"He brings a wealth of experience to the table and that is of huge benefit to some of the young guys coming through in the backline.

"We're thrilled that Ash has decided to extend his stay.

"He is one of the most reliable guys I've ever come across and he gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on the jersey.

"Ben has seized his opportunities with both hands and really impressed in the scrum, especially in recent months.

"He has got his head down and worked hard and has proved he has what it takes to perform at the top level."

Gopperth is determined to get back on the field and said: "It's been an amazing three years at the club and I've made so many lifelong friends around the place. It's become a home away from home for me.

Gopperth in action for Wasps last season (Getty Images)

"I still feel like I have an awful lot to offer the game. I want to help us drive forwards and push for more honours in the coming years.

"This season has been frustrating because of injury but I'm working hard to get back ahead of schedule as I just can't wait to get back out there at the Ricoh."

South African-born Johnson, who can also play at blindside flanker, added: "Wasps has become my home. My family and I love it here in Coventry and it was an easy choice to sign a new deal.

"This is a fantastic club which I've been part of for a while now and there are a lot of great people around the place.

"I want to help us push on and compete for the very top titles in both England and Europe."

Taylor said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my first couple of seasons at Wasps.

"We have everything we need with some of the best resources available to us as professional athletes and I feel like I can push on to reach the top of my game by staying here at Ricoh Arena.

"Hopefully I can be a part of something special here as we look to compete for honours on the domestic and European fronts in the near future."

PA

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