Shaun Edwards told of his “heartbreak” after the Wasps club he coached to the top of Europe was wiped from the sporting map,
Confirmation came yesterday that one of the great names of world rugby had gone into administration with 167 players and staff made redundant.
England internationals Jack Willis, Joe Launchbury, Brad Shields and Dan Robson were among those informed of the devastating news.
Edwards, now defence coach of France, said: “It’s heartbreaking. So many great players, so many wonderful memories.
“The thought of the club being lost forever is too awful to contemplate.”
By nightfall Launchbury had got no closer to coming to terms with the shattering news as he contemplated life without the club he has so proudly represented for more than a decade.
"Being made redundant from an organisation that means so much to me and my family is impossible to take," the lock forward posted on Instagram. "It has always been so much more than a place of work. It was a place my family could call home.
"I'm not sure I will ever get over the news today but I will try my best to move forward and support my family. Thanks Wasps for letting me live my dream."
Joint administrator Andrew Sheridan labelled it a “dark day for English rugby” as the six-time champions and twice kings of Europe went bust with immediate debts of £37 million.
World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey and Joe Worsley head the roll call of greats to have played for a club whose life started in London in 1867 and ended in Coventry.
They were founder members of the first national rugby union league in 1987 and the first champions in 1996 after the game went professional.
Sheridan said: "We know this will be devastating news for every Wasps player and member of staff, past players, sponsors, and their thousands of supporters throughout the world, and anyone who has ever been involved with this great club.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting those who have lost their jobs.”
Like midlands rivals Worcester, who suffered the same fate earlier this month, Wasps will be relegated.
There is a flicker of hope that a merger with London Irish, another cash-strapped Premiership club, could save them - despite the Exiles’ board of directors describing it as “total and utter speculation”.
