Former Halifax RLFC centre Jaymes Chapman has signed for Dubai outfit Xodus Wasps ahead of the new UAE Premiership season.

Chapman, who played 14 times for Halifax between 2002 and 2004, will join the Wasps as a player and attacking coach.

Alongside his undoubted playing pedigree, Chapman was also coaching a National League 1 side before moving to Dubai.

The Wasps will be hoping that Chapman’s experience will help them make a marked improved on last season’s performances that saw them lose each of their five Premiership fixtures and finish bottom with the solitary point.

“We’re excited to have him at Wasps,” club chairman Craig Gibson told Sport360°. “[Chapman] has family in Dubai and we were in discussions for a while about getting him out here to play for us.

“He had to finish some qualifications in the UK before he could move here and, once they were complete, we instigated the move between mutual friends and sold him our vision.”

It has been a busy pre-season for the Wasps who have added a number of players to their roster in anticipation of their opening league fixture against the reigning champions Jebel Ali Dragons on September 18 at the Dubai 7s stadium.

One of those new arrivals is former Leicester Tigers sevens player, Ollie Turton.

Turton, who is also a personal trainer, joins the club alongside his girlfriend – and former Wales international – Rhian Adams who will play for the Wasps’ women’s team.

While with the Tigers, Turton played in the 7s side that narrowly lost out on the JP Morgan Premiership title last season where they lost to Gloucester in the final at The Rec, Bath.