Andy Powell has signed for Wasps © PA Photos

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Players/Officials: Andy Powell

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Wales | Wasps

Andy Powell has ended speculation about his future by signing a one-year deal with Aviva Premiership side Wasps.

The Wales back-row was granted a release from his contract with Cardiff Blues on Monday and has quickly been confirmed as the final piece of the Wasps jigsaw for next season.

Capped 14 times by his country and a former British & Irish Lions tourist, Powell now has an opportunity to draw a line under a troubled year which was marred by his infamous golf buggy escapade during the Six Nations. Since the incident, which landed him a 15-month driving ban, Powell has been linked with French side Agen and a move to rugby league but has elected to join Wasps and push to continue his Test career.

Wasps defence coach Shaun Edwards knows all about Powell's ball-carrying ability, having coached him for the past two seasons with Wales and the Lions.

"My decision was a pure rugby decision," Powell said. "After all the talk and speculation about where I will be playing, all I want to do now is get my head down, improve as a player and hopefully if selected, play in the World Cup next year for my country.

"To do that I need to be playing well for my club and I think with the coaching team and setup here at Wasps, I will have the perfect opportunity to do that. I know Shaun Edwards well of course from my time with the Welsh team, and I took little persuading once I met with Tony Hanks and Trevor Woodman about how serious this team is about success and winning."

Head coach Hanks admitted that the coaching team had no doubts about Powell's ability to be a success at the club.

"Andy makes his move from Cardiff based on his desire to drive both his club and international career and while his rugby ability is obvious, the Wasps coaching team have all warmed to Andy immediately and are impressed by his drive and enthusiasm to relocate to London and join Wasps," he said. "Andy is the first high profile Welsh signing at the club since Rob Howley and we are confident he will benefit from the environment and 'Wasps way' in a similar fashion and become a favourite with the Wasps faithful."