James Johnston: Worcester sign prop following Wasps release

James Johnston will be joining his fourth Premiership club, after Harlequins, Saracens and Wasps

Worcester Warriors have signed Samoa international prop James Johnston following his release by Wasps.

Johnston, 29, joined Wasps last summer, but has not been able to fully train or play a first-team game in five months at the club after being injured for Samoa in the build-up to the World Cup.

"The scrum is an area where we've lacked a bit of experience," said Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan.

"He has a wealth of top-class game-time and adds great depth to our front row."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "It is unfortunate that James has not been able to train regularly since joining the club, as we were really looking forward to seeing the impact he could make in a Wasps shirt.

"Unfortunately for both parties, this couldn't happen and he leaves with our very best wishes for his next steps."

Warriors lie 10th in the Premiership table, three points behind ninth-placed Wasps and eight points clear of bottom club London Irish.

Meanwhile, Warriors backs coach Sam Vesty, who first joined Ryan's backroom staff in the summer of 2013, has agreed a new contract with the club.

Johnston's wealth of experience

New Zealand-born Johnston will be joining his fourth Premiership club looking to add his overall total of 104 appearances in England's top-flight competition.

Before Wasps, he signed for Saracens in 2013 after four years at Harlequins, who he helped to the Premiership title in 2012.

Despite featuring 14 times for Sarries in the league during 2014-15, he was not in the matchday squad that beat Bath in last season's Twickenham final.

Johnston, who has won 14 caps for Samoa and scored a try against Japan on his debut in 2008, first came to England from New Zealand outfit Ponsonby in 2009.