Tuesday, April 25 2006 15:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Former All Blacks skipper Justin Marshall has rejected an offer from English Premiership champions Wasps and agreed to join Welsh club Ospreys next season, according to reports here Tuesday (Apr 25, 2006).

The 32-year-old Marshall, who joined Leeds at the start of the season, decided to leave following the English team's relegation from the Premiership.

His move to Swansea will be completed this week after agreement has been reached on a transfer fee, the Daily Mail reported.

Wasps had been bidding to line up Marshall to replace Matt Dawson at scrum half, but chief executive David Davies admitted: "We did our best but it was not to be."

Recently-promoted Harlequins and French outfit Bourgoin had also expressed their interest in combative scrum-half.

Marshall has stated that he wants to play in next year's World Cup in France - but that dream will only be achieved if he is playing club rugby.

Meanwhile, England prop Phil Vickery, who has undergone three back operations, is set to sign for Wasps from Gloucester on Wednesday.