England prop Mullan leaves Wasps with 'immediate effect'

Wasps have confirmed that Matt Mullan has left the club with immediate effect and by mutual consent.

Mullan, 31, joined Wasps in 2013 and made 128 appearances for the Club as well as earning 17 caps for England, but was unable to feature for Wasps this season whilst recovering from a knee injury.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “The Club wish Matt well with his next steps and thank him for his contribution to Wasps Rugby over the past five seasons.”

Mullan is ranked as the Gallagher Premiership’s 13th best loosehead prop in the RugbyPass Index, with an RPI of 68.

Meanwhile, winger Ambrose Curtis has departed the Club to join French Pro D2 side Vannes.

Curtis, 26, featured for Wasps A in the Premiership Rugby Shield and made one first-team appearance in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Northampton Saints in November.

Young added: “We’d like to thank Ambrose for his efforts and professionalism during his time at Wasps and wish him all the best in the future.”

Continue reading below…
Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Fukuoka

Meanwhile, Wasps backs Ross Neal and Rob Miller return to the starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Bath at The Rec.

Winger Neal has recovered from a hip knock to replace Elliot Daly, who is forced to have a rest week after his participation in England’s Autumn internationals, while Miller steps in for Willie Le Roux (neck) at full back to make his first appearance for the first-team since November’s win over Bristol Rugby.

Number eight Nathan Hughes is also restored to the starting 15 for the first time since early December while lock Charlie Matthews comes into the replacements.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Last weekend was a big step up across the board. Now we want to try and build some continuity.

“We want to keep our performances on an upward curve and hopefully that’ll end with some positive results for us as you want to get into a habit of winning.

“Although we can’t make the knockout stages, these European matches are still important to the players.

“This is their livelihood, their job and although there won’t be that edge like in a cup final, they’ve still got to do their job, respect the jersey and go out there to win.

“It’s as simple as that and I don’t expect to see anything other than us going out to play to the best of our ability.”

Wasps team v Bath (First-team appearances):
15 Rob Miller (92)
14 Ross Neal (8)
13 Michele Campagnaro (4)
12 Juan de Jongh (37)
11 Josh Bassett (92)
10 Lima Sopoaga (15)
9 Dan Robson (93)
1 Zurabi Zhvania (14)
2 Tom Cruse (50)
3 Will Stuart (23)
4 Joe Launchbury (c) (133)
5 Will Rowlands (64)
6 Brad Shields (8)
7 Thomas Young (101)
8 Nathan Hughes (117)

Replacements:
16 Antonio Harris (13)
17 Ben Harris (35)
18 Jake Cooper-Woolley (122)
19 Charlie Matthews (8)
20 Nizaam Carr (24)
21 Craig Hampson (26)
22 Billy Searle (9)
23 Gaby Lovobalavu (22)