Southwell makes the switch to Adams Park from Top 14 side Stade Francais © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Hart confirmed as Wasps skipper

News: Rees suffers new setback

News: Tu'ifua bolsters Falcons' pack

News: Lawson: Battle still on for RWC place

Players/Officials: Hugo Southwell

Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup | Amlin Challenge Cup | Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Scotland | Wasps

London Wasps have announced the signing of Scotland fullback Hugo Southwell from French Top 14 side Stade Francais on a two-year deal.

The 31-year-old, whose World Cup hopes were recently dashed due to a knee injury, becomes the Aviva Premiership side's 13th senior signing ahead of the new season and will join other new faces such as hooker Steve Thompson, fly-half Nicky Robinson and director of rugby Dai Young at Adams Park for the latest campaign.

Southwell, who has also played for Bristol, Worcester and Edinburgh, has won 59 Test caps since his international bow against Samoa in 2004. He went on to play in the next 30 Tests before injury ended his run during the 2007 Six Nations and recently he became the 27th Scottish player to reach the landmark of 50 caps.

"I'm delighted to sign a deal with Wasps and am really keen to get started," commented Southwell. "I have been encouraged by the squad that the club has put together and I believe Dai Young is building something really positive and I hope that I can add to that. Hopefully I can see some game-time early on and push on from there."

Young welcomed the latest addition to his squad and backed him to make an impact on the Premiership stage. "Hugo is a great addition to the squad for the coming season, adding depth to the back three which is an area we identified as somewhere we needed strengthening," he said. "We've got a lot of young talent in our backline so bringing in someone with fantastic international and domestic experience will be a huge boost to the squad. He has a lot to offer and we look forward to seeing him in action."

Wasps' recent recruitment drive has also snared Jeremy Castex (Narbonne), Ross Filipo ( Bayonne), Ryan Davis (Exeter), Chris Bell (Sale), Chris Mayor (Gran Parma), Jonathan Poff (Crusaders), Simon McIntyre (Sale), Marco Wentzel (Leeds), Guillermo Roan (La Plata) and Alex Cheesman (Oxford University).

The club has also seen a number of new arrivals behind the scenes with Paul Turner recently appointed as consultant attack and skills coach. England back-row James Haskell has also confirmed that he is to return to the club in time for the 2012/13 season.