Ian McGeechan has promoted Hugo Ellis to his first-team squad and signed Australian youngster Lachlan Mitchell.
Aussie youngster heads to Adams Park
Wasps boss Ian McGeechan has turned to some of the games most promising young talents to bolster his Premiership winning squad, adding Hugo Ellis and Lachlan Mitchell to his senior squad for 2008/09.
Following in the footsteps of England duo James Haskell and Tom Rees, Ellis graduates from the London Wasps Academy to join the First XV squad on a two-year contract.
A member of the full-time Academy since 2006, Ellis made his debut with the first-team last season and followed with five appearances in the Guinness Premiership and EDF Energy Cup competitions.
On the international stage he also led England U20s to Grand Slam success in the Six Nations and to the final of the 2008 Junior Rugby World Cup.
Along with Ellis, 20-year-old Sydney University centre Mitchell joins Wasps on a two-year deal.
A former member of the Waratahs Academy, Mitchell arrives at the club on the recommendation of former England prop and current Sydney University coach, Trevor Woodman.
"There is a great wealth of young talent coming through the ranks at Wasps and it is a very exciting time for the club as we see our youngsters develop and shape our squad," said McGeechan.
Development
"Hugo's move to the senior squad reiterates the fantastic development streams we have in place, as Rob Smith and Alun Powell continue to produce some of the most exciting players on the domestic and international stage through our Academy.
"Hugo showed growing confidence and maturity last season, especially with England U20s, and he now has the opportunity to take his development to the next level as part of the 1XV squad.
"Lachlan is a player who we feel will both benefit from and add to the Wasps environment. Shaun and I have been impressed with footage we have seen of him with Sydney University and the Waratahs Academy and he is another young player who has great potential."
In other squad news, Wasps prop Nick Adams departs the club for French side Montauban after two seasons and 30 appearances in the capital.
Meanwhile, fly-half Jeremy Staunton, on loan to Wasps from London Irish at the close of last season, has been offered a full contract by the domestic holders.
