Tom Bliss has signed with PRO Rugby. The 22-year-old former Wasps scrumhalf had been playing with Ealing Trailfinders this season, and the Greene King IPA Championship club has now confirmed that he has been released to take up a contract with an unnamed franchise in the new American professional league set to kick off in April. While strong rumours involving numerous players have circulated, Bliss is the first to be revealed by an official source.

A new and as-yet uncapped selection to the US Eagles for the Americas Rugby Championship, Bliss captained the USA Men’s Junior All-American side in the 2013 Junior World Championship tournament. The Loughborough University rep subsequently spent a season attached to London Irish Academy before joining Aviva Premiership club Wasps in 2014. After making four appearances in all competitions during the 2014/15 season, he was sent on a season-long loan to Ealing for 2015/16, but will now cut that short to pursue his international ambitions.