Koch’s signing is coup for Wasps

WASPS have strengthened their front row resources for next season with the signing of World Cup winner Vincent Koch.

Koch has won 29 caps for South Africa and played in six games in the 2019 World Cup-winning campaign.

Now 31, the tighthead has been at Saracens since 2016 and made his 100th appearance for the club in the Championship play-off final against Ealing.

Strengthening the scrum has been a key focus for head coach Lee Blackett. Wasps have struggled with a catalogue of injuries among their forwards this season.

When Argentine prop Rodrigo Martinez signed last week from Paraguaybased side Olimpia Lions, Blackett had 20 players sidelined.

Gordon Reid was brought in last month to provide cover at loosehead while Ben Harris and Tom West recover from injuries and Robin Hislop is back on Scotland‘s radar.

But it is at tighthead where Wasps look really light. The arrival of Koch will go some way to addressing that.

“We have been looking for a worldclass tighthead and, in Vincent, we’ve found our man,” said Wasps boss Lee Blackett.

Koch said: “I have had great times at Saracens, that I will always treasure.

“The saying goes ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ and a new challenge at Wasps is what I need.”