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England prop Kieran Brookes' new club about to be confirmed
By Alex Shaw
Following the announcement by Northampton Saints last month that Kieran Brookes would be leaving the club at the end of the season, RugbyPass understands that his signing by Wasps is imminent.
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The former Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons tighthead has had a mixed spell at Franklin’s Gardens, but Wasps will be hoping that he can re-find the form that had people calling for him to be an England regular early in Eddie Jones’ tenure as head coach.
The 27-year-old has accrued 16 England caps so far in his career, as well as having represented Ireland at age-grade levels and the England Saxons, but the majority of those senior caps came under Stuart Lancaster, who was a noted fan of the prop.
His replacement at Northampton has already been announced, with incoming director of rugby Chris Boyd bringing in a player he knows well from his time in New Zealand, in the form of London Irish’s Ben Franks.
Franks will compete with Jamal Ford-Robinson and Paul Hill for the starting tighthead spot next season.
As for Wasps, they are losing Marty Moore this summer, with the Irishman moving back across the Irish Sea and joining Ulster. They will hope that Brookes can fill the void left by Moore and create a competitive position battle with Jake Cooper-Woolley for the starting jersey.
The deal should be announced shortly by Wasps, barring any late developments.
