Wasps ponder London derby

Wasps are comtemplating staging their Anglo-Welsh Cup tie against London rivals Harlequins in Abu Dhabi, according to a report in British newspaper the Daily Mail on Thursday.

The match is currently scheduled to take place at Adams Park, Wasps' home ground, on January 30.

Wasps, however, stressed no agreement has been reached, saying in a statement: "The club are looking into plans around this fixture but at this stage nothing is set in stone.

"The club are in consultation with the Rugby Football Union, LV (the Anglo-Welsh Cup sponsors) and Harlequins.

"We are always keen to find ways to be innovative and extend the footprint of the club, while promoting the sport, but at this time nothing is agreed."

Were the tie to be played in the Gulf state, it would be the first time a competitive fixture between English clubs has been played overseas.

English football shelved the prospect of a '39th' Premier League game being played abroad.

But their cricket counterparts will be staging the traditional opening match of the English season between MCC and the Champion County (Nottinghamshire) in Abu Dhabi for the second consecutive season when the fixture takes place in March.

LONDON, Friday, AFP