This may be talked about else where but not recently it appears. Anybody know how Lee Smith is getting on playing for Wasps? According to the stats on the website he's not played. This an injury or just not getting into the first team even for their cup games?

he is still getting paid the same though,expect a few cameo appearances this season before he signs for wigan.

Can't understand why they would sign him on what im guessing is biggish money for him not to feature at all.

Watched highlights of the Leicester/Wasps game and Smithy was'nt even on the bench.Can only sumise that he's learning all the rules and all the in's and outs of the game.

Read something the other day that he is still plying his trade in the Reserves ...

Didnt they do that with Ashton at first?

Either that or he's being bulked up to fit in with the other fatties.

Bath did it with Shontayne. Look where that has got him.

Ashton played first team football from the start, mind you Northampton were in the 2nd tier of the league system in his first season at the club. They didn't lose a game and he scored a bucket load of tries.

He was never good enough to make the switch to Union. As mentinoned he'll be arriving at Wigan or Hull KR shortly.

Ashton had a couple of periods out of the side though, injury at one point, and then dropped.

Can you quantify that statement because I don't follow.

Union usually target our most talented young outside backs and Lee certainly fits that category. He's proven himself to be one of the best players in the competition at wing, then full back then centre. Add to his penchant for delivering top notch performances in the last 3 Grand Finals and I fail to see why Union wouldn't have targeted him.

I certainly do hope he makes the switch to Wigan and ends up being their 1st choice full back because that would be superb for English RL.

Yup yup

I think you'll find he was. Is your memory on the wane?

And, like G1, I'd be delighted to see him back in RL.

I'm guess that Saddened is highlighting the obvious deficiency in Lee's game. He didn't have a red V on his jersey

And three GF rings on his hand

Ah - that's only because Meli deliberately threw the game though.

He didn't.

He's just shiiiite.

Other than the fact Lee played Union at school and indeed, I understand, represented Yorkshire why would have he to bother learning the rules... nobody knows ALL the rules of RU, that would be impossible, there are so many of them. Do you think the ref's know all the rules... course they don't!

You can also add a decent goalkicker to Lee Smith`s skills which should almost guarantee him a place in the England RU set up.

and scored in 3 consecutive grand finals, playing in different positions against the 'mighty' saints.

surely the ultimate barometer.

May be the Wasps are just taking the time needed to ensure a smooth transition between codes? Maybe it's a little early to predict that he won't make it? As to the amount he is being paid and whether that would put pressure to rush him into the first team, as I understand it the cap in union is circa £4.5M, if that's correct or close, I doubt they feel a great deal of pressure to rush his introduction into the first team. Good luck to the lad, he did well for us and I hope he adapts well to his chosen code.

There is a cap in premiership RU but I understand that it might not be independently audited and be as strict at what it constitutes 'Salary', like in RL! As such the RU clubs present their accounts and if they fit within general finance and company laws, everyone is happy. As such, I understand that the cap is widely morally flouted because many 'perks', such as cars and houses etc, are recorded differently in the accounts. I understand that the RU did not even have anybody at all at HQ responsible for the cap until recently!

According to the wasps forums they dont rate him one bit

Racist.
What does being a Muslim have to do with it?

I found that interesting (it's a quiet day at work) so bobbed on to the Wasps site for a quick shufty, couldn't find any critical comment only a couple of questions asking how he was doing. Please post a link.