Wasps snap up two forwards

Editor

Wasps have announced the signings of two highly-rated young forwards, Tom Woolstencroft from Bath and Marcus Garratt from Cornish Pirates.

The duo will join up with the squad for pre-season.

Woolstencroft started his career in the back-row, but made the transition to hooker following advice from former England international Danny Grewcock, when he joined Bath's academy.

The versatile 21-year-old was part of England U20s Junior World Championship winning side and has also represented England U18s and U16s. He made his senior debut for Bath in the LV= Cup game against London Welsh in November 2014 and was part of the club's Aviva A League-winning side that year.

Ahead of his move to Wasps, Woolstencroft said: "I am really looking forward to my move to Wasps. The club plays an exciting brand of rugby and has a quality squad of players. I'm keen to work hard and try to earn an opportunity to show what I can do, in what will be a very competitive position at the club."

Second-row Garratt signs from the Cornish Pirates, who he joined in 2014 as a member of the club’s Player Development Foundation having previously played for Exmouth.

His potential earned him a promotion to the Cornish Pirates' senior squad last season, featuring in 20 games.

Garratt also had a loan spell at Bath in 2014, scoring in their LV= Cup game against London Welsh, as well as playing for both Wasps and Bath in the Aviva A League in the 2015/16 season.

The 21-year-old powerhouse, who stands at 6ft 5 and weighs in at 127kg, will add to the strength in depth of Wasps' second-row options next season.

Looking ahead to next season, Garratt said: "I am very excited by this amazing opportunity, Wasps is a great club who have gone from strength-to-strength in recent seasons and I can't wait to get started.

"I would like to thank everyone at Cornish Pirates for everything they have done for me, especially Ian [Davies], Paves [Alan Paver] and Gav [Gavin Cattle} for all the support and coaching I've received. This is a great challenge for me and one that I'm very excited about, but I know the hard work is just beginning!"