London Wasps have hijacked Llanelli Scarlets' bid for Bristol wing David Lemi as they continue to build a new back division for next season.

Lemi is one of the most prolific try scorers in English rugby, having collected 45 in just 84 games for relegated Bristol.

The 27-year-old, capped 22 times by Samoa, was expected to cross the Severn Bridge and join the Scarlets but he has undergone a medical at Wasps.

Lemi will join Bristol team-mate Dan Ward-Smith, Castres centre Steve Kefu and England wing Tom Varndell as new arrivals at the former Guinness Premiership champions.

Wasps have also been linked with Lee Smith, the England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league full-back.

With Riki Flutey moving to France, Tom Voyce joining Gloucester and Josh Lewsey retiring, Wasps have been targeting proven try scorers and Lemi fits the bill.

Wasps will now focus on recruiting a top-flight scrum-half to replace Ireland international Eoin Reddan, who has been released a year early from his contract to join Leinster.

Reddan has been a key player at Wasps but has now accepted that in order to continue his his Ireland career he needs to be playing for one of their big provinces.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "We are obviously sad to see the departure of Eoin Reddan, a player whose talent and fantastic attitude have played a key role in our success over the last four seasons.

"We are, and always will be, a club that supports our players' international ambitions however, and it is with our blessing and support that we see him head back to Ireland."

The 28-year-old said: "It is tough for me to be leaving Wasps. I've thoroughly enjoyed my last four years and I can't overstate how great a club it is. The fitness team, physio staff and back room team are top class and make it easy for you to be at your best week in week out in what is a long season. The coaches have helped me personally and supported me over the last four years and I would like to thank them for all their help and support, particularly in my decision to go home to look to further my international career.

"I am looking forward to representing Leinster next season. They are a top club who have proved it year in year out on the European stage and they may even go on to win the Heineken Cup come the end of the season."

Besides lining up new players for Wasps, McGeechan is heavily involved in preparing the Lions for their summer tour of South Africa.

The head coach has accepted the planned altitude training in Spain must be scrapped because too many of the tour party are still involved in matches as the domestic season comes to a climax, but provisions are being made to prepare some players for dealing with high-altitude matches in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

"We can use facilities where the players are given similar conditions to altitude by using masks and controlled environments and that is being put together at the moment," said McGeechan.

The coach is still waiting to hear from Danny Cipriani, the Wasps and England fly-half, about his ankle surgery.

Cipriani needs the metal plate and pins removed from the ankle he broke last May but could come into the Lions selection equation if more injuries are sustained in the weeks leading up to the 24 May departure for South Africa.

Meanwhile, Steve Borthwick, who will lead Saracens against Northampton in their European Challenge Cup semi-final on Friday night, has spoken of his disappointment at being ignored for the Lions tour despite being the England skipper.

Borthwick said: "I have worked as hard as I possibly can to help my country be successful.

"With that I hoped to get selection for the British and Irish Lions. It has not worked out like that. The selectors have decided not to select me. That is their decision."