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Bristol sign winger Tom Varndell
ESPN Staff
January 7, 2015
Tom Varndell will be at Bristol next season © Getty Images
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Bristol Rugby have pulled off a significant transfer coup with the signing of Wasps winger Tom Varndell on a two-year deal.

Varndell, who has four England caps, will join the Championship side at the end of the season and will look to bring his try-scoring pedigree to Bristol. It is their second signing in as many days as Varndell follows Italian international Tommaso Benvenuti to Bristol as they target promotion to the Aviva Premiership at the end of the season.

"We're delighted to be able to attract Tom's services for next season. He's a proven try-scorer who knows the Aviva Premiership inside out," Bristol boss Andy Robinson said. "Tom is one of the quickest players in world rugby and will suit the style of rugby that we are developing.

"His work-rate and attitude made him a firm favourite at London Wasps and I'm sure Bristol supporters will look forward to seeing him in the blue and white hoops."

Varndell said: "I'm an ambitious person and I believe that Bristol Rugby - with the resources and vision that the Club has - matches my ambition. I'm excited about coming back to the city having studied at Colston's Collegiate School.

"Bristol is a proud rugby city with a loyal fan base. It's a great time to join and I look forward to the next chapter of my career. I have had a fantastic time at London Wasps and I thank the coaches, my team-mates and the supporters for making me so welcome for the past six years.

"We've still got a lot of exciting challenges ahead this season and I will be fully focused on doing all I can to help Wasps and the squad achieve our goals for the rest of this season."

Wasps also announced Will Helu will leave at the end of the current campaign and boss Dai Young paid tribute to the departing Varndell saying: "Tom Varndell has been fantastic for us since joining from Leicester Tigers in 2009 and he and Christian Wade have established a prolific partnership on the wing. Tom will be tough to replace, but we understand it is a fantastic opportunity for him at Bristol and we wish him the best.

"Tom is a fans' favourite here and I have no doubt that he will do everything in his power to produce his best in black and gold for the rest of the season. We also hope to see him break the record for tries scored in the Premiership whilst wearing the Wasps shirt."

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