Leota urged to drop Wasps

Trevor Leota, arguably the hardest tackler in world rugby, is being asked to turn his back on London Wasps and help Samoa's World Cup challenge against England in October.

Leota, a fearsome hooker, has told Samoa he wants to stay out of their World Cup plans and help Wasps defend their Zurich Premiership title. However, Samoa, in the same World Cup pool as England, are putting him under pressure to link up with the talented Islanders' squad preparing for the tournament.

Samoa have an enviable record in World Cup competition both for outstanding rugby and shoulder-high hits that have often landed them in trouble with referees. Leota's thunderous tackling means even his fellow Samoans want to be on his side in training.

Warren Gatland, Wasps' director of rugby, hopes Leota remains a member of his squad, who meet French champions Stade Francais in a pre-season clash at Wycombe on Sunday.

Wasps are missing their England contingent of World Cup hopefuls plus Kenny Logan, who is with Scotland. Gatland said: "If we lose Trevor it could mean starting the League season without eight first-choice players."

Meanwhile, Gatland is credited with restoring Alex King's confidence, which has enabled the outside-half to win a place in the England starting line-up for the first time against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

"Alex has become more of a general and calls the shots for us," said Gatland.

"He is going to take that confidence into this match with Wales and although it may take him 50 or 60 minutes to put everything together, we should then see why he is an outstanding deputy and worthy of his place."

Elsewhere, England full-back Tim Stimpson is reported to have signed a three-year contract with Perpignan. The Leicester man is set to move in December when Ireland's Geordan Murphy returns from the World Cup.