Rugby Union: Green Looks to Close Wasps Chapter on a High

The title of Graham Greene's novel The End of the Affair could equally apply to the Wasps' prop Will Green tomorrow. Some may not even notice him as they rush to bid farewell to Martin Johnson, Neil Back, John Wells and Warren Gatland following an emotionally charged Zurich Premiership final at Twickenham. If they care to reflect on his 13 years of devoted service, however, those who wonder how Wasps consistently manage to punch above their weight need look no further.

Within the club it is an open secret. After Wasps had blown Sale away last Saturday to reach tomorrow's game the club's chairman Chris Wright grabbed a microphone to hail the 31-year-old Green, who is joining Leinster this summer, as "one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet". As the latter posed affably beside the club's rusty old scrummaging machine yesterday- "it's an old relic like me!" - it was easy to see why so many will be sad to see him go.

Yet, when it comes to finals, Green and Wasps remain as determined as ever, fuelled by the honesty and integrity which form the underlying bedrock of the club. It is no coincidence they have won the last two Premiership finals and pipped Toulouse at the post in last season's dramatic Heineken Cup finale; this is a squad with extraordinary reserves of character.

Green, unprompted, even suggests the victory over Toulouse gave him greater pleasure than representing England - he made his Test debut in Clive Woodward's first game in charge against Australia in 1997. He also believes there are two main reasons why a team without a huge natural supporter base or their own ground - it was confirmed yesterday that Wasps will continue to share the Causeway Stadium with Wycombe Wanderers next season - have been Leicester's only consistent rivals as England's pre-eminent side.

"We've had six different training facilities and three different home grounds but I've had only three head coaches - Rob Smith, Nigel Melville and Warren," said Green, who first played for the club's Under-21 side in 1992. "That continuity has had a lot to do with our success. There's also no place to hide. We're all so honest with each other that if you don't stack up at the weekend you've got to turn up and look the guys in the eye. Perhaps at some clubs they look to blame other people. We've never done that."

Which explains why Green and Co are not overly bothered that Leicester have not been defeated by Wasps in four previous meetings this season; the defending champions usually respond positively to hard knocks. Yesterday, having named a team which includes John Hart in the back row in the absence of the injured Johnny O'Connor and Tom Rees, Gatland even compared the club to an "orphanage" in that several players unwanted or disaffected at other clubs have thrived in their new environment.

When he does finally set off with his wife Charlotte and one-year-old son Arthur for their "little adventure" in Dublin, however, Green will also take with him some priceless memories. "I remember playing in Bourgoin five years ago - in the days when they used to take the European Cup seriously - when John Mitchell had just joined the club as a coach. We won and decided to have a good night out. The next morning at the airport there were about 10 of us still drinking brandy for breakfast. John was there instigating the whole thing...a couple of years later he was All Black coach."

"Once a Wasp, always a Wasp" is the club's proud boast and Green will remain a part of the extended family, despite being so committed to Leinster he has withdrawn from England's summer tour to prepare for his "new challenge". There will always be a welcome, too, for key backroom staff like Craig White and Tony Hanks, who are also moving on. Before they depart, though, there is one last Cluedo-esque puzzle to solve. Could it be that the lead piping has Leicester's name on it and a revved-up Green has the last laugh?