RUGBY NEWS - English Premiership side Wasps on Monday finally landed Georgian international prop Zurabi Zhvania after a two-year pursuit as he signed from Top 14 outfit Stade Francais.

The 26-year-old - the fifth Georgian to appear in the Premiership, and the third front-row forward following Sale's Shavla Mamukashvili and Worcester hooker Jaba Bregvadze - played 100 games for Stade since joining them as a raw teenager in 2011.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said Zhvania, who has scored 10 tries in 34 Test appearances since making his international debut in 2013, could well go straight into the first team with a couple of his rivals for the loosehead spot struggling with injuries.

"We have been tracking Zura for a couple of seasons and are really pleased to finally get him on board," Young told the club website.

"He is an experienced player despite still being in his mid-20s, who I expect to bring plenty to our front row.

"The timing of this is also good, since both Matt Mullan and Simon McIntyre are currently recuperating from long-term injuries."

During Zhvania's time with Stade, the club won the French title in 2015 and the European Challenge trophy in 2017.

Zhvania said Wasps attacking rugby suited him down to the ground.

"I have big ambitions in the game and I believe I can achieve these with Wasps both at Premiership and European level," he told the club website.

"They play a very attractive style of rugby which I believe suits my game and will bring out the best in me.

"It's great to have a former international prop as director of rugby (Young won 51 caps for Wales and played three Tests for the British and Irish Lions) and this can only be of benefit to my development."