Koll joins Wasps, linking up with fellow countryman Tinus Du Plessis, following their recent World Cup campaign, during which Koll started all four games for his country, and impressed with his physicality and strong ball carrying, which was epitomised by a 40 metre break and try in his country’s pool stage game against Wales.

The imposing 28 year old second-row will add to the options in the second row which have recently been shortened due to injury. He will not be available for selection in the club’s Amlin Challenge Cup games but will be available for both the LV=Cup and Aviva Premiership.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Heinz will bring with him a great amount of physicality which I was impressed with during his time at the World Cup. It is public knowledge that we have been hit hard by injuries so his arrival will add to our currently limited options in the second row.”

Koll said: “The Premiership is obviously one of the best league’s in the World and I am delighted to get the chance to join Wasps. I am really looking forward to getting involved and hopefully my arrival can really add something to the squad.”

Thompson, who featured strongly for England at the World Cup, is one of eight changes Director of Rugby Dai Young has made to this weekend’s team, as his side look to continue with winning ways in the Premiership having defeated Bath in the last round.

Also back in the starting line-up are Joe Simpson, who makes his first start of the season, Riki Flutey, who returns after a four-game injury absence, Nick Robinson, Ben Broster, Tim Payne, Jonathan Poff and Richard Birkett.

Just one player – Ross Filipo – also started against Worcester at Sixways two weekends ago in the LV=Cup.

Thompson said he was looking forward to representing the club for the first time. “I can’t wait to get out there and am delighted to get my first start because there is a lot of competition here for the number two shirt. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first few weeks with the club and I feel fresh and ready for action.”

Dai Young added: “We know that Worcester are very strong at home and away wins are always difficult, but if we want to do well in this league we have got to start picking up results on the road.”

London Wasps team to play Worcester.

15 Hugo Southwell
14 Tom Varndell
13 Chris Bell
12 Riki Flutey
11 Christian Wade
10 Nick Robinson
9 Joe Simpson
1 Tim Payne
2 Steve Thompson
3 Ben Broster
4 Ross Filipo
5 Marco Wentzel
6 Richard Birkett
7 Jonathan Poff
8 John Hart (c)

Replacements

16 Rob Webber
17 Zak Taulafo
18 Jeremy Castex
19 Joe Burton
20 Matt Everard
21 Nic Berry
22 Ryan Davis
23 Chris Mayor

Former England man Perry has made a stunning recovery from a feared knee injury and will now line-up against Wasps as Warriors make just one change to the side that lost to London Irish in the club’s last league outing.

Head Coach Richard Hill makes a number of changes on the bench as hooker Aleki Lutui returns after World Cup duty with Tonga and prop George Porter replaces Ceri Jones, who is ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Flanker Sam Betty is rewarded for his strong performances in the LV= Cup with a place among the replacements while there is also a call-up for versatile back Chris Pennell.

“We have put in some very good performances at Sixways and with another big crowd on Friday night and great atmosphere the lads are revved up for the game,” said Hill.

“We were hurt by the last time we played in the Aviva Premiership away to London Irish. We had a poor defensive day with Phil Larder away. He has been in since then and read the riot act so I am certain we will get the right response.

“We expect Wasps to come full strength and they will keep the ball in hand and look to put pressure on us. They are one of the best teams at retaining the ball in the Aviva Premiership and the best at offloading in the tackle.

“Our three quarters will need a strong defensive game as Wasps will test us out in the wide areas, but I am confident in our defence.”

Tickets remain on sale for the game with London Wasps. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or click on www.warriors.co.uk to buy online.

Warriors vs. London Wasps

15 Errie Claassens
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Grove
12 Dale Rasmussen (c)
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Shaun Perry
1 Matt Mullan
2 Ed Shervington
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 James Percival
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 Jake Abbott
8 Chris Jones
Replacements
16 George Porter
17 Aleki Lutui
18 Oliver Tomaszczyk
19 Adam Balding
20 Sam Betty
21 Ollie Frost
22 Joe Carlisle
23 Chris Pennell

Hayes, owner of the two-time European Cup Champions, believes that new drive from a new owner may be the best way to build on the groundwork and opportunities he has laid down for Wasps for an exciting and wider future.

Hayes took ownership of the club in 2008 and in the past three seasons has piloted a number of innovative ideas in the sport introducing an annual St George’s Day Game at Twickenham which has attracted almost 100,000 supporters over two seasons, and taking the first ever competitive domestic fixture overseas, showcasing the game to a global audience in Abu Dhabi.

Plans for a new Sporting Village in High Wycombe for both London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers were also far advanced however Wycombe District Council subsequently withdrew its initial support this summer. This project had included a new 17,500 capacity stadium with community leisure facilities, retail space and a hotel and conference facilities.

Hayes believes that the Sporting Village plans, as they were developed, remain a sustainable option for London Wasps as a standalone club and any new owners will be encouraged to take these plans forward.

Hayes said: “I remain disappointed that Wycombe District Council withdrew its support for the Sporting Village project earlier this year and since that time I have been working with the London Wasps board to evaluate the best steps forward for the club. I fully believe that a new stadium for Wasps is essential in the coming years as we have always said that Adams Park was unsustainable as a long term option.  I will work with any potential owners to develop the Sporting Village model we had already come up with at an alternative location.”

Hayes has appointed Baker Tilly to take the investment process forward.

Lawrence Dallaglio, who remains on the club’s board added: “Steve’s passion and vision over the past number of years has helped bring the club to new audiences around the world and any new owners will take on a club in a healthy position in terms of the direction it is heading on and off the pitch.”

Statement from Steve Hayes

As you will see today I have made the decision to begin a search for new owners for the club. This was a very tough decision for me personally but ultimately I believe it is the right one to ensure that London Wasps continues to drive forward both on and off the pitch.

I have spent much of the past few months considering the best course of action for the club following the decision by Wycombe District Council to stop supporting our plans to develop a Sporting Village which would have included a new stadium. The vision of planning and developing this facility was one of the key reasons I got involved in the club and being unable to bring this to fruition remains bitterly disappointing.

I remain of the belief that London Wasps at Adams Park is not a sustainable long-term option and I and my advisors believe that the Sporting Village plans remain feasible for Wasps as a standalone club.  Therefore I will work with and encourage any new owner to bring these plans to realisation at an alternative location.

I have been honoured to be at the helm of such a prestigious club and I believe that a number of our initiatives over the past few seasons, such as our St George’s Day Game at Twickenham, have showcased the club to new audiences and more importantly new supporters.  I would like to think that I will leave the club in a relatively healthy position as the team continues to transition in a positive manner and behind the scenes we have also been making real inroads into making the club a commercially viable business.

This process will take time and nothing is going to happen overnight but rest assured that any potential new owner will need to convince me that they have the best interests of the club at heart and be in a position to invest at the right level.  Any new owner will have to show me that their aspirations are to provide London Wasps with the right level of investment and structure to ensure that they are once again a team in the hunt for titles at the end of every season.

My priority now is continuing to support the club and its staff while this process is underway.

Thank you for all of your support.

Lewsey was part of a hugely successful era at London Wasps spending over ten years with the club, winning four Premiership titles, two Heineken Cups, a European Challenge Cup and two domestic Cup titles. With a number of those titles being won after final day victories over Leicester, Lewsey says the respect between the two clubs will always linger.

“For a while Wasps and Leicester were the two of the most dominant and successful clubs in the professional era. When I was playing, there was a mutual respect between the players but a brutal, cultural and tribal rivalry. It was a bit like playing your brother in your back garden.”

His best memories of the many clashes between the two side are the Heineken Cup Final in 2007 and the Premiership Final in 2008.

“Playing in any final against them was special but I would have to say that those finals were highlights. It was a feeling that you’d literally be willing to die for the man either side of you and they’d do likewise for you. That element of togetherness and loyalty is what all champion teams are made of.”

Down through the years, Lewsey too recalls some rather less happy memories.

“Getting humiliated by 50 points at Welford Road only a couple of weeks before the grand final is one, especially knowing that on the day some of the players weren’t willing or indeed didn’t believe we could win.”

Down through the years in this fixture he has played against some quality players and finds it hard to pick the stand-out man.

“I respect their club immensely and though it is culturally different from Wasps, they have in my mind done a great job over the years keeping it both a great rugby club and holding on to their unique culture with the youngsters learning the work ethic and having to earn respect by demonstrating the right values before they become stars.”

“I couldn’t pick out one individual from over the years but there a lot of guys who have epitomised those values without explicitly courting the limelight. Players like Darren Garforth, Graham Rowntree, Ben Kay, Lewis Moody, Geordan Murphy plus the others such as Neil Back, Martin Johnson all come to mind.”

Turner’s appointment sees him return to Aviva Premiership Rugby having previously spent 11 seasons working in the competition with a number of clubs including Sale Sharks and Harlequins. Turner’s most recent coaching role was in Wales with Newport Gwent Dragons where he spent six seasons as head coach.

As a player Turner represented a number of clubs including Newport, Sale and Bedford, as well as winning international recognition with Wales and the Barbarians.

Turner will assist in the coaching of a London Wasps side which has benefitted from a number of new signings over the summer period, having welcomed over ten new senior squad signings for the new season.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We are really pleased to introduce Paul to our plans for the new season and we believe that he will be an important addition to the coaching set-up. He will bring some fresh attacking ideas to the team and I think he can make a big impact in our style of play this season.”

Paul Turner said: “To join a club of Wasps’ calibre is a great opportunity for me. Wasps have always been a club I admired and respected and I am delighted to be back coaching in the Premiership. The club has clearly put together a strong squad for next season with some highly talented attacking individuals and I am looking forward to helping shape the structure of how the side plays.”

The 22-year old, who has been studying at Oxford University, has signed a one-year contract with the club after completing his studies. Cheesman initially came through the Wasps Academy system, playing for Wasps at Under 18, Academy and A team level before he began his studies.

While at Oxford he played in three Varsity finals at Twickenham and he also continued to occasionally represent Wasps, featuring in the club’s Sevens side at last year’s JP. Morgan Asset Management 7s Series.

Cheesman is renowned for his athleticism and pace, having also played for England 7s, and he becomes the 12th senior squad signing made by London Wasps in time for the new season.

On the signing, Academy Manager Rob Smith, who coached Cheesman during his time with the Academy, said “With the Academy, only the players that reach the highest levels gain public recognition and this is hopefully only the tip of the iceberg for Alex. Only a few places are available each year for those players to go into the senior set-up, so many very talented young players need to follow other development routes.

“Alex is one of those who has gone away from our system and worked very hard, and it is of great and particular delight for all of the Academy staff when a player progresses through to the top level and in this case comes back home. This is great news and richly deserved.”

Alex Cheesman said “I’m thrilled to be returning to what I consider my rugby playing home. I first went to the Wasps Academy session when I was 15. Under the guidance of Brian Ashton it’s great that I’ve been able to be part of Oxford University’s rugby club whilst studying. My goal has always been to play Premiership rugby and to be back at Wasps doing so is an honour.”

Young joins on a four-year deal from the Cardiff Blues where he has been at the helm since 2002, first as head coach and then as Director of Rugby. He takes the reigns at the beginning of July of a new-look London Wasps side which will welcome more than 10 new senior squad players next season.

Bringing with him a strong pedigree of top level club experience from the Welsh based Blues, whom he has guided to Heineken Cup quarter and semi-finals, Young also brings wealth of knowledge of the demands needed to become a top player. The ex-international prop, won 51 caps for his country as well as travelling on three British and Irish Lions tours.

Young also has experience coaching in international rugby as he has led the Barbarians as head coach for the past four years on their European touring schedule.

London Wasps Chief Executive Chris Thomas said: “We are delighted to welcome Dai to London Wasps and we believe he is exactly the right person to take the club forward. Dai brings a wealth of experience to the club and this is an appointment for the long-term. We remain an ambitious club and want to be competing at the highest level. Dai is the person to help us achieve these ambitions. Dai has done a sterling job in Cardiff, developing a host of young talent into international quality players as well as building an excellent team with strong spirit. We were hugely impressed with his vision for London Wasps which is in keeping with our key objective of developing sustained long-term success.”

With the club having added a number of new faces to the squad for next season including England hooker Steve Thompson, fly-half Nicky Robinson and former All Black Ross Filipo, Thomas added that Young would have a strong group of players to worth with.

“We have worked very hard in recent months to put together a squad for next season which will give us far more balance and Dai will lead a squad which combines some hugely exciting young talent as well as some hard-nosed top level experience. “

Dai Young said “This is an enormous opportunity for me. I have loved my time with Cardiff but I am looking forward to a new experience in a new environment. There is a hugely talented group of players here to work with and the challenge to help get a great club into a position where they are once again challenging for success was too good to turn down.

Worcester Warriors flanker Matt Kvesic (Captain)

"It was a massive honour leading the boys out, and it’s especially pleasing that we’ve come away with the win. It wasn’t an easy game to play in, but to put 39 points on the board when you know there’s still more to come is a good sign. Scotland were tough and fought tooth and nail until the end but we’ve got some good finishers in the squad and it was nice to see Christian Wade go over for his tries. South Africa will be a different style of game, we know how physical they are so we’ll try and combat that the best way we can. It’s a game we’re all looking forward to as it’s a chance for us to compete against some very good southern hemisphere players."

London Wasps wing Christian Wade (Scored a hat-trick)

"I’m really happy to score three tries but it was all about the team, they created the opportunities for me and I was just in the right place at the right time. Scotland were really tough to break down, they showed a lot of heart and gave us a good workout. The lads are a bit disappointed about the way we played, but at least we’re not kidding ourselves, we know that we’ve got things to work on and that’s exactly what we’ll do. I’m going to do all I can to make sure I get a chance against South Africa, which will definitely be a tough game but there’s a lot of talent within this squad and we’re confident of doing well."

Saracens fly half Owen Farrell

"We know that we can play better than that, but in this kind of environment all you need to do is win matches and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve beaten Ireland and Scotland now, and we feel that there’s more to come, which is a good place to be. We’ll take a look at the Scotland game, figure out what we can do better and then do all we can to beat South Africa. We know it’s not going to be an easy game, and we know that we’re going to have to be at our best, but looking at the squad we’ve got here, there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t beat them – we’re confident in each other."

Gloucester Rugby centre Ryan Mills

"We’re really happy about getting the win, but there’s no way we’ve peaked yet. There’s a lot to work on after the Scotland game, but to score five tries when you’re not at your best is always a good sign. It was hot out there which maybe limited us in terms of the amount of our running, but we still showed glimpses of what we’re capable of. Scotland made things tough for us and their set piece was pretty good – as we knew it would be, and they got behind us a few times, and that’s something we’ll take a look at.

"South Africa are next and we know what kind of a side they are. They’re good with the ball in hand so we’ll be looking to keep as much possession as possible. It’s a winnable game and if we want to win the whole thing then we’ll need to play and beat these southern hemisphere sides."

Holden has made four changes from the starting line -up that beat Sale Sharks in the last round of the competition.

Rob Webber returns for his first start since-mid November to take his place at hooker. The returning vice-captain will add to the leadership on the field and will hope to regain the form he had prior to injury. Webber’s inclusion means that Joe Ward moves to the bench.

The back row remains unchanged from the game against Sale Sharks, with Andy Powell being rested with a view to the volume of games over the next few weeks.

Elsewhere there are also re-calls for prop Zak Taulafo and centre Steve Kefu while lock Simon Shaw returns from a successful international campaign with England in the Six Nations to take his place in the second row alongside captain Richard Birkett.

Looking ahead to the game Leon Holden said: “The game against Northampton this weekend marks the start of a crucial period for us in the Premiership starting with two away games against Northampton and London Irish before we welcome Leeds to Adams Park and head to Twickenham for our St George’s Day Game.

We must take every game on its own merits but a good run of results in this block of fixtures will define our season.”

London Wasps team to face Northampton Saints on Sunday 27th March, KO 1.45pm, live on SkySports1 and HD1:

15 Richard Haughton
14 Ben Jacobs
13 Steve Kefu
12 Riki Flutey
11 David Lemi
10 Dave Walder
9 Joe Simpson
1 Tim Payne
2 Rob Webber
3 Zak Taulafo
4 Simon Shaw
5 Richard Birkett (c)
6 John Hart
7 Joe Worsley
8 Dan Ward-Smith
16 Joe Ward
17 Ben Broster
18 Tom French
19 James Cannon
20 Serge Betsen
21 Nic Berry
22 Dom Waldouck
23 Mark van Gisbergen