Ryan Mills signs for Wasps

Wasps have signed versatile back Ryan Mills from Worcester Warriors for next season. The 27-year-old, who has made 106 appearances for Worcester, has shone in the Premiership at fly-half and centre, while he has captained the side on a number of occasions.

Interim head coach Lee Blackett said: “Ryan is someone we have had our eye on for a while. He’s an established Premiership player who is unlucky to have not picked up any international caps but hopefully we can help him achieve that ambition.

“He has the ability to unlock defences and plays a strong kicking game, while he is a proven leader which will be a huge benefit to the squad. He is exactly what we need to add to our backline, and having someone of his ilk joining the club is massive for all involved, so we’re looking forward to having him on board.”  

Before his move to Sixways, Mills played 26 times for Gloucester after graduating from Hartpury College. He previously spent twelve years with Exeter Chiefs from the age of five before cementing a place in the England U18 and U20 squads.

A competent goal-kicker, his club record, match-winning 24-point haul helped Warriors beat Saracens in 2016/17, the season which saw him called up for two England training camps.

(Continue reading below...)

Highlights of the Super Rugby round five match between Stormers and Blues

Mills said: “I feel like it’s time for a fresh environment and a new, exciting challenge. Wasps are a club drenched in history and one that I have always been drawn towards, largely due to the attacking, exciting style of rugby. 

“Hopefully I’ll be able to add to what is an already dangerous backline and it’s something that I’m very much looking forward to. Having a fantastic home ground to play at like Ricoh Arena is a real bonus, while I have already got some good friends at the club like Dan Robson and have played with a few others in various teams, like Thomas Young at Gloucester and Josh Bassett and Joe Launchbury in the England age-groups.

“I know the quality of player and personnel that I’ll be joining which makes the decision a lot easier and it’s another reason why I’m looking forward to a new chapter. I’d like to pay a special thanks to the Warriors players, staff and fans for their tremendous support over the past six years. 

“I don’t regret a second of my time at the club. It was extremely difficult at times but also equally rewarding coming through some of the testing times as we did. I have made a number of lifelong friends at Warriors and will continue to give my all to the team till the end of the season and hopefully finish on as much of a high as possible with some good memories to take along with me.”

WATCH: RugbyPass goes behind the scenes at the Leicester Tigers academy