Worrying days for Irish provinces as massive southern hemisphere star nears Wasps switch

The salary cap is dead in the water.

One of the planet's greatest fullbacks is being heavily linked with a move to the Aviva Premiership. Springboks' star Willie Le Roux has been approached by Wasps and is expected to leave the Sharks at the end of the Super Rugby season. The move for the 26-year-old is another clear signal - as if we needed another - that England's top sides have finally shook the salary cap shackles and targeted world-class talent. Wasps have already signed Danny Cipriani and Kurtley Beale, although the Wallabies back suffered a bad knee injury at the weekend and will be out of action for at least three months. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/731609816964173824 Beale signed a two-season deal for £1.5 million. Le Roux is an undeniably better player so could well command more. He will wish to continue with the Springboks as they build to the 2019 World Cup so would only sign on for two years before reassessing. Wasps are assembling a squad of nations, with 11 nationalities in their senior squad. Brendan Macken and James Downey make up the Irish contingent although former Leinster outhalf Jimmy Gopperth is on the books. 35-year-old Australian back-row George Smith had a phenomenal season with the club and won the Players' Player of the Year.