Wasps re-sign hooker Carlo Festuccia from Zebre

Wasps have re-signed hooker Carlo Festuccia until the end of the season.

Wasps have injury problems at No 2, with Tom Cruse and George Edgson both out, and Tommy Taylor included in England's Six Nations squad.

Edd Shervington came out of retirement to provide cover, but he has now returned to his farming business in Wales.

Italy international Festuccia made 60 appearances for Wasps in three years before returning home to play for Zebre.

Director of rugby Dai Young said: "We'd firstly like to thank Edd [Shervington] for coming out of retirement to help us and we will wish him well when he returns to Wales.

"As we saw, he was needed on the bench against Toulouse due to the injuries we picked up in that area.

"With Thomas Young named in the Wales squad and James Haskell, Nathan Hughes and Tommy Taylor named in the England squad, having Carlo in the mix will give us flexibility with Ashley Johnson, and we know Carlo will do a brilliant job for us.

"Carlo was a very popular member of the squad during his time here and has a good relationship with the players and coaches, as well as an understanding of how we like to play.

"You know exactly what you're going to get from Carlo; physicality, strong work at the set-piece and a player who will give his all for the squad, so we're looking forward to him being with us for the next few months."

Festuccia added: "I have enjoyed being back home in Italy, but it has been a very tough six months on the rugby side. I wish Zebre the very best for the rest of the season and I look forward to meeting back up with the Wasps squad and Wasps fans."