Flutey makes Wasps return

ENGLAND centre Riki Flutey has agreed a three-year deal to rejoin his former club Wasps.

Flutey, who was part of Wasps’ 2008 Premiership-winning squad, will return from French side Brive.

He has won 13 caps and toured South Africa with the Lions last summer, starting in the third Test in Johannesburg.

New Zealand-born Flutey suffered a shoulder injury last month and was subsequently released by Brive after failing to make an impression.

He will undergo surgery to rectify the problem and is expected to play a full part in Wasps’ pre-season training after rehabilitation.

Flutey’s move reverses a recent trend of leading English players heading to France to ply their trade.

The list includes Jonny Wilkinson, currently spearheading Toulon’s bid to be crowned French Top 14 champions, and Stade Français forwards James Haskell and Tom Palmer, while Flutey, Jamie Noon and Shaun Perry all joined Brive.