Joe Simpson

A Wasps academy product, Joe is one of most exciting young players in the game. The pocket-sized scrum-half was named the Wasps Supporters' Player of the Season last year having made such a huge impression since his first team debut in 2008.

Simpson was born in Australia to an English father and a New Zealand mother, both of whom were enthusiastic about rugby. Joe claims that they have helped him wholeheartedly in his career, as have former Wasps Academy coach Alun Powell, his former Richmond coach Mark Reilly and his old school coach Martin Knight.

He joined the London Wasps Academy in the summer of 2006 from St Benedict's school making his senior debut in October 2008. After some eye-catching appearances off the bench, and some spectacular tries, he became first choice scrum-half by the end of 2008/09 and was promoted to the 1XV squad ahead of the 2009/10 season.

Injuries plagued his season that year though he did enough to earn selection for England's 2010 summer tour only to be forced to pull out after suffering a hamstring injury during a brief appearance as a replacement in the pre-tour match against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

In a tough season last year, Joe was a shining light, scoring some spectacular tries and earning recognition via the Sky Sports Dream Team of the Season.