THE new director of rugby with Wasps has dived straight into his job.

Ian McGeechan came back from the British Lions tour of New Zealand and was taking up his position at Wasps within the week.

The Scot was at the training ground on Friday and has accompanied the team as they begin full pre-seaosn training at their camp in Poland.

And McGeechan revealed how the Lions role has helped him return to the coaching side after his previous desk job in Scotland.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had with the midweek team. It was good just having a tracksuit on full time again."

Wasps return from Poland next week, with their first pre-season game taking place on August 7.

* The dates of Wasps' first three Heineken Cup matches have been finalised.

All three will be on Sunday and will be shown live on Sky as the Premiership champions look to win back their European crown.

Their first match is against Edinburgh Gunners at Murrayfield on October 23 (ko 1pm) followed by the visit of Toulouse to Adams Park a week later (ko 3pm). Wasps then visit Llanelli Scarlets on December 11 (ko 1pm).

Dates for the fourth pool games will be finalised in November, with details of the final group matches announced in December.

* The draw for the first round of the Compass Group Middlesex Sevens has taken place, with Wasps taking on Leeds Tykes at 12.40pm.

* Adams Park is to be for non-smokers only when Wasps play next season. The total ban on smoking does not apply for Wycombe Wanderers games.

Wasps have also announced changes to the car-parking at the ground, with barriers used to control traffic flow.

* James Brooks has turned his back on the England Sevens to concentrate on playing for Wasps next season.

The fly half missed a number of games last season to play for England but wants to challenge Alex King and new recruit Jeremy Staunton for the number ten shirt.

* Former Wasps scrum half Rob Howley was made an Honorary Fellow by Swansea University on Tuesday.