Wasps and Leinster confirm Marty Moore departure

Wasps have confirmed the signing of Ireland international tighthead, Marty Moore, from Leinster. The 24 year-old prop will join Wasps ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

Moore has won 10 caps for Ireland since making his debut on February 2nd 2014, in their Six Nations Championship win against Scotland, and has been part of Ireland's last two Six Nations title-winning squads.

The confirmation of the deal had been delayed with Irish and Leinster representatives looking to convince Moore to remain in the province, and despite a deal with Wasps being agreed it was believed that the player had performed a u-turn. However in last weekend's Champions Cup defeat to his new club Moore limped off with a hamstring injury which has ruled him out of next month's Six Nations.

The dynamic prop missed out on the 2015 Rugby World Cup through injury too, but returned to fitness earlier this season for Leinster and has made a total of 58 appearances for the province since his debut in 2012.

Commenting on the announcement Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said, "Naturally we are disappointed to be losing a player of Marty's calibre in particular having invested in his development over the years but we wish him well.

“Once he recovers from his hamstring issue we hope that Marty has a big part to play in our Guinness Pro12 run in.”

The arrival of the Irish international will bolster Wasps' talented pool of tightheads, with Wasps' Director of Rugby Dai Young saying: "Marty has already proven his international pedigree with Ireland and, at only 24, he has plenty of years ahead of him to continue his development and become a top-class tighthead.

“We already have talented tightheads at the club, but his addition will strengthen the depth we have in this key position and will help to drive competition for places, which is what we are trying to achieve throughout the squad. We are looking forward to Marty joining us next season.”

Marty Moore added: “I’m really pleased to have signed a contract with Wasps to join next season. I am looking forward to working with Dai Young and his coaching team as well as the squad and am excited about the challenge ahead in the Aviva Premiership. However, up until the move I am fully committed to Leinster Rugby and I would like to thank everyone here as well as the Leinster fans for the support they have shown me.”