Zurich Premiership: Wasps step up Gatland bid

Wasps Rugby director Nigel Melville is today understood to be stepping up attempts to try and secure the services of former Ireland coach Warren Gatland.

Gatland surprisingly lost his job with Ireland 11 days ago, despite masterminding a Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship victory over England in October and then almost plotting New Zealand’s Dublin downfall.

Zurich Premiership strugglers Wasps are currently seeking a high-profile addition to Melville’s coaching team, with Gatland top of their wanted list.

Meanwhile, Wasps could find themselves evicted from Loftus Road if Fulham Football Club take up residence in Shepherds Bush.

Fulham, whose Craven Cottage stadium will temporarily close at the end of this season for essential refurbishment work, have been linked to a possible ground-share with Queens Park Rangers.

That possible scenario threatens to leave Wasps out on a limb.

Wasps are among a clutch of Premiership clubs who currently play at soccer stadia, having moved from their former north London base of Sudbury to Loftus Road early in rugby’s professional era.

But if Fulham were to move in with QPR, albeit probably for no longer than one season, then it would inevitably see Wasps squeezed out.

Chelsea have already rejected the notion of Fulham playing at Stamford Bridge, so their search for a suitable London alternative continues.

Reports linking Wasps to a relocation at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park ground had cold water poured on them today.

‘‘It is news to us,’’ said a spokesman for the Nationwide League club.

If Wasps leave Loftus Road then Brentford and London rivals Harlequins could prove possible destinations.