Andy Powell has 'a clean slate' at Wasps © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Andy Powell

Teams: England | Wasps

Andy Powell has begun his Wasps career with a clean slate, according to coach Shaun Edwards.

The troubled back-rower, 28, joined the Aviva Premiership side from Cardiff Blues earlier this month, having become disenchanted with Welsh rugby.

Powell endured a difficult end to the season, with a series of injuries ruling him out of Wales' summer tour. The problems followed his expulsion from the national camp during the Six Nations as a result of his now infamous golf buggy episode.

Powell's Wasps switch reunites him with Wales defence coach Edwards, who is familiar with his powerful running game. The squad are currently preparing for their opening Premiership game against Harlequins on September 4 with a pre-season camp in Poland.

"If he can keep injury free, then if there is any club where he will shine at then it's Wasps, where we treat our players as individuals," Edwards told The Evening Standard. "We don't try to make them conform and be exactly the same, although we have to implement some rules like turning up on time and wearing the right gear.

"I am hoping he will flourish in this kind of environment, plus he has that something extra about his play - that X-factor - to complement the guys who are toiling away hitting 100 rucks a match. As a result, he can create something out of nothing. We tell a player that when he joins this club the slate is wiped clean and it all starts again. We are not going to be too judgmental about what has happened in the past."

Powell currently has 14 caps for Wales and is hoping that a strong season with Wasps can secure a place in their squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.