Further doubt has been cast over Ryan Lamb's long-term future at Gloucester after the club moved to sign Nicky Robinson from Cardiff Blues on a three-year deal.

The 27-year-old Welshman will arrive at Kingsholm in the summer, joining Carlos Spencer and Lamb among Gloucester's fly-half options.

Gloucester-born Lamb was already sliding down the pecking order before the signing of Robinson – and before he was fined £1,000 by Cheltenham Magistrates for punching a man in the face outside a nightclub earlier this month.

Both Spencer, who is the club's current first-choice No 10, and Lamb are contracted at Kingsholm until the end of next season. But Lamb's future at his hometown club is by no means certain following recent events.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan said: "To be in the market to sign a player of Nicky's quality is a really significant addition to our squad.

"We know from first-hand experience just what an exciting talent he is. He has a proven quality at operating at the highest level in Europe and internationally with Wales and his expertise is something we are delighted to be working with."

Robinson was in the Cardiff team that beat Gloucester both at the Millennium Stadium and Kingsholm in the Heineken Cup earlier this season, and has won 12 caps for Wales. He said: "It's obviously been one of the hardest decisions I'll ever have to make in my rugby career. To decide to leave my hometown club, somewhere where I dreamt of playing and spent a large part of my career, was always going to be hard.

"But I wanted to experience playing in a different environment and a different league. I also wanted to test myself and try to improve as a rugby player and as a person, and Gloucester will give me that opportunity.

"I wanted to find out for myself what it is like to play in a different league and train with different players and coaches and change the routine that I have been doing for a number of years now. Gloucester have an outstanding squad and when I spoke to Dean Ryan about his plans for the future, his desire and determination to make the club one of the biggest in Europe was exactly what I wanted to hear."

While Robinson will be joining Gloucester, scrum-half Gareth Cooper will be moving in the opposite direction, joining the Blues at the end of the season.

Blues director of rugby David Young said: "Gareth has undoubtedly proven over the years that he is a quality scrum-half and will be a great addition to our squad next season."

Gloucester can take another significant step toward booking their place in the Guinness Premiership play-offs when they host Wasps this afternoon.

Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera is named in Gloucester's matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from knee surgery and he starts on the bench.

In the starting line-up, Anthony Allen is fit again and replaces Henry Trinder at outside centre, while Will James comes in for Adam Eustace at lock.

Flanker Andy Hazell, who will start his fifth successive match after overcoming a knee injury, is expecting a tough test. He said: "Wasps have had some very good results – and against some very good teams – in the last few weeks. They will come to Kingsholm looking for another big scalp.

"We gave away too many silly penalties when we lost at Leicester last weekend and we know we have to eradicate those if we are to be successful."

Gloucester: O Morgan; I Balshaw, A Allen, O Barkley, C Sharples; C Spencer, R Lawson; N Wood, O Azam, G Somerville, W James, A Brown, L Narraway, A Hazell, G Delve (capt). Reps: A Titterrell, J Forster, A Eustace, A Qera, R Lamb, M Watkins, M Foster.

Wasps: M van Gisbergen; L Mitchell, D Waldouck, J Lewsey, T Voyce; D Cipriani, E Reddan; T Payne, R Webber, P Barnard, R Birkett, G Skivington, S Betsen (capt), T Rees, J Hart. Reps: J Ward, C Beech, M Veale, D Leo, J Simpson, D Walder, M Odejobi.