RUGBY UNION: FORMER Italy hooker Carlo Festuccia is excited to wear Wasps colours again after re-joining the club on a short term deal until the end of the season.
Following the recent news that Edd Shervington will leave Wasps to return to his farming business in Wales, Festuccia returns to the club to provide much-needed cover for injury and international call-ups.
“It has been great to see the team doing really well this year and I’m very happy to help them until the end of the season,” said Festuccia, who previously made over 60 appearances for Wasps during his three seasons with the club.
“I have enjoyed being back home in Italy, but it has been a very tough six months on the rugby side.
“I wish Zebre the very best for the rest of the season and I look forward to meeting back up with the Wasps’ squad and Wasps fans.”
Festuccia, 36, comes in at time when Wasps will be without the services of Tom Cruse and George Edgson through injury, while Tommy Taylor was named in England’s 34-man-squad for the RBS 6 Nations.
Wasps’ director of rugby, Dai Young, added: “With Thomas (Young) named in the Wales squad and James (Haskell), Nathan (Hughes) and Tommy (Taylor) named in the England squad, having Carlo in the mix will give us flexibility with Ashley (Johnson), and we know Carlo will do a brilliant job for us.
“Carlo was a very popular member of the squad during his time here and has a good relationship with the players and coaches, as well as an understanding of how we like to play.
“You know exactly what you’re going to get from Carlo; physicality, strong work at the set-piece and a player who will give his all for the squad, so we’re looking forward to him being with us for the next few months.”