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Wasps have signed England centre Kyle Eastmond from Premiership rivals Bath
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The 27-year-old made 72 top-flight appearances for Bath, scoring 16 tries
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Eastmond, capped six times, previously played for St Helens and the England rugby league team before switching codes
Wasps have announced that England international and former Bath Rugby centre, Kyle Eastmond, will join the club ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Recognised as one of the most exciting centres in the English game, Eastmond will add his considerable skill-set to a Wasps’ backline already brimming with talent.
A natural footballer and distributing centre, Eastmond has dazzling feet and an explosive running game, with an ability to unlock defences while playing flat to the gain-line.
The 26-year-old, who already has six England caps to his name, has unfinished business at international level, having narrowly missing out on the World Cup squad and subsequent tour to Australia.
Eastmond made the move to Rugby Union in 2011 after 42 appearances and 401 points for St Helens, as well as four caps for England Rugby League.
After switching codes, Eastmond made swift progress to be selected for England against Argentina in 2013, making his mark on the international scene with a stunning try in his second test against the Pumas.
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Speaking about the signing of Kyle Eastmond, Wasps’ Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Kyle is one of the most exciting centres in the Aviva Premiership and we’re really looking forward to adding his talents to an already impressive group of backs at the club.
“At Wasps we like to play expansive, attacking rugby and Kyle is a player who can add a lot to that in terms of controlling the game as well as threatening defences, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
“Kyle has already shown his international class and still has plenty of potential to fulfil in Rugby Union and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue his development in black and gold.”
On signing for Wasps, Kyle Eastmond said, “I’ve been impressed with the style of rugby and the way the club has developed in recent seasons and I’m really looking forward to the new challenge at Wasps.
“When you look at the talented players already at the club it’s hard not to be excited about the possibilities and I feel I am joining a highly ambitious and motivated team, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Eastmond becomes the 12th signing Wasps have announced for the 2016/17 season, with Kurtley Beale, Tommy Taylor, Tom Cruse, Danny Cipriani, Marty Moore, Guy Armitage, Craig Hampson, Tom Woolstencroft, Marcus Garratt, Matt Symons and Nick De Luca already announced.
Players who have left Wasps following the conclusion of the 2015/16 season are:
Lorenzo Cittadini (prop), Bradley Davies (lock), James Downey (centre), Carlo Festuccia (hooker), Ben Jacobs (centre), Ruaridh Jackson (fly half), Alex Lozowski (fly half), Andrea Masi (centre/fullback), Charles Piutau (full back/centre), Siale Piutau (centre), Edd Shervington (hooker), George Smith (flanker) and Jamie Stevenson (scrum half).
