York Wasps have added impetus to their push for a top five Premiership play-off place by recruiting international Diccon Edwards.

FEELING AT HOME: New York Wasps' signing Diccon Edwards settles in at Huntington Stadium

The dual rugby code player signed on the dotted line at Huntington Stadium last night and may line up in the crucial home game with Featherstone Rovers on Sunday.

Wasps stepped in quickly to snap up the experienced Edwards, 26, who can play either in the centres or on the wing, when his contract with Leeds Tykes rugby union club ended.

"We will check on his fitness after training tonight before making a decision about whether he is included in the 17 for Sunday," said coach Dean Robinson, "but we have not signed him to come and sit about."

"He will strengthen our three-quarters and competition for places will increase. He will help everyone fulful their potential."

The arrival of Edwards is timely, following last week's news that another recent recruit, winger Leroy McKenzie, the former Hull player, was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hand injury.

Edwards, who lives in the Selby area, is effectively home grown talent, having learnt the 15-man code at Pocklington School where he became an England Schools player.

After leaving Pocklington, he joined Wakefield RU club and represented England at Under 21 and student level. He also toured South Africa with the North Division squad.

In 1994 he joined First Division giants Leicester after moving to that city to enrol on a two-year management course.

He then had a spell with Newport RU before switching codes to join Castleford Tigers in April 1996.

Although his Super League appearances with the Wheldon Road club were limited, he played alongside Iestyn Harris for Wales against England.

At the start of last season he joined Leeds Tykes rugby union club and was a regular in their Allied Dunbar Premiership Two campaign featuring in the backs with Australian powerhouse Wendell Sailor.

Featherstone are hoping to announce their new coach ahead of Sunday's game at Huntington Stadium.

Club secretary Terry Mullaney admitted the odds were against the new man being installed before the York game although candidates for the job had been interviewed this week.

Previous coach Kevin Hobbs quit Post office Road last week.

Heworth powerhouse forward Chris Plowman is on stand-by for the British ARL squad to play France in an under 24 international in Poix next month.

He is one of four players who may be yet drafted in should any of the 18-strong squad drop out. Plowman had a superb season with the Villagers, despite their relegation from the National Conference premier division, and was the star man in Yorkshire's recent County Championship games against Cumbria and Lancashire.

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