Brookes on board to power up Wasps set-piece

of rugby Dai Young.

“Having a solid set-piece is a crucial component in a successful team. Kieran’s arrival will further boost us in this area, and he also offers with ball in hand and defensively.”

Brookes said: “There are plenty of players I have experience of playing with England.

“Wasps have done well in recent seasons and hopefully I can play a part as the club tries to push on to the next level.” Northampton have brought in Australian winger Andrew Kellaway from the Waratahs.

Kellaway, who can also play full-back, has played 22 games in Super Rugby and represented Australia at the JWC in 2014.

“Getting the chance to join Northampton was a really exciting opportunity for me and one I jumped at,” said the 22-year-old.

Kellaway is the second Waratahs winger Saints have signed this year, after Taqele Naiyaravoro joined in February.

Gloucester have signed hooker Todd Gleave, 23, from London Irish.

European champions Leinster have signed Australian back Joe Tomane from Montpellier.

Tomane, who can playwing and centre, has been capped 17 times by the Wallabies and played Rugby League in the NRL from 2008-2011.

The 28-year-old joined Montpellier from Super Rugby side the Brumbies in 2016. “Joe is a player that everyone will be excited about,” said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.

The arrival of the nonIrish qualifed Tomane at Leinster may lead to a few raised eyebrows in Ulster after the IRFU recently blocked their attempt to sign South African fly-half Elton Jantjies as a replacement for Paddy Jackson. WASPS have signed England tighthead Kieran Brookes after he opted to leave Northampton Saints at the end of his contract.

Brookes, 27, played 73 games for Saints in three years at Franklin’s Gardens, following spells at Newcastle and Leicester.

The last of the prop’s 16 England Test appearances came against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations.

“Kieran is a proven operator,” said Wasps director