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Wasps have added 26-year-old London Irish hooker Tom Cruse to their playing staff for next season.

The former Sale Academy No.2 joined the Madejski Stadium club from Championship club Rotherham last summer, but has since found his opportunities limited behind former England hooker David Paice and Gerard Ellis.

Cruse is known to Wasps’ backs coach Lee Blackett, who was formerly head coach at the South Yorkshire-based Titans, and as a converted flanker he comes with a reputation for being extremely mobile in the loose.

Wasps boss Dai Young said Cruse has caught his eye during his three Premiership and three European appearances this season.

“Tom was the stand-out hooker in the Championship last season while playing for Rotherham Titans,” he said, “and he’s also impressed every time he’s put on the shirt for London Irish this season.

“He is a young, mobile hooker and we know there’s plenty more to come from him as he’s still maturing and developing as a player.”

In addition to fly half Danny Cipriani and prop Marty Moore, Cruse is the second hooker to become part of Young’s squad for next season following the announcement that Sale No.2 Tommy Taylor will also ply his trade at the Ricoh from September.

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Hooking duties this season have mainly been shared between another converted flanker, Ashley Johnson, and 35-year-old Italian international Carlo Festuccia, supported by former Worcester front-rower Edd Shervington.

It is extremely unlikely that Wasps will retain the services of five hookers, so it seems probable that one and possibly two of the incumbents will move on at the end of the current campaign.

Cruse, who remains part of London Irish’s relegation battle until the end of the season, said he is excited about joining Wasps’ Ricoh revolution.

“Having met with Dai Young, the ambition and direction of the club is clear to see,” he said, “and the opportunity to be part of that going forward is one I am very much looking forward to.”

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