WORCESTER Warriors' have announced the signing of the "powerful and explosive" Tongan international Sione Vailanu from Wasps on a two-year deal.

The powerful number eight, renowned for his bulldozing ball-carrying ability, will arrive at Sixways this summer having spent two years with Wasps following a short-stint with Saracens beforehand.

As well as Gallagher Premiership experience, Vailanu, 26, has won seven caps for Tonga - the most recent in the victory over Canada in August 2019 – and has scored two tries for his country.

“Sione is really powerful and explosive. I have been an admirer of him as a player from his time with Saracens and since he joined Wasps,” said Warriors’ Head Coach Jonathan Thomas.

“It’s an opportunity for him to make a real difference to us. In the Premiership to be successful you need to have physical and powerful men and Sione is certainly that.

“The way he plays lends itself to what we are trying to achieve with our game moving forward.”

Vailanu had four years playing sevens rugby for Asahi University in Japan and was spotted by Saracens while playing for Samurai in the Hong Kong Tens in 2017.

“I’m extremely excited to have signed for Warriors and am looking forward to joining up with the club ahead of next season,” Vailanu said.

“I know that Alan Solomons and JT have ambitions for Warriors to become a sustainable top six Premiership club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their objectives.”

Vailanu is the second Wasps player Warriors have recruited for next season, following tighthead prop Jack Owlett.

They join the likes of Scotland international wing Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), England scrum-half Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), Wales hooker Scott Baldwin (Harlequins), scrum-half Will Chudley and tighthead prop Christian Judge (Bath Rugby) as newcomers in the squad for next season with back-row forward/lock Kyle Hatherell having already arrived from Jersey Reds.