Dragons sign Richie Rees

10:22am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Chris Kirwan

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have signed former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees.

The 29-year-old, who won nine caps, will arrive at Rodney Parade from Edinburgh on a two-year deal next season.

Rees started his career with the Ospreys but, after a short spell with London Irish, is more known for his time with Cardiff Blues, spending five seasons in the capital and winning the EDF Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.

“We are delighted to be signing a player of Richie’s calibre,” said Dragons head coach Darren Edwards.

“It has been well documented that we have a great deal of potential at scrum half in Jonathan Evans and an experienced game controller in Wayne Evans.

“But we are looking to strengthen and make many positions in our squad competitive to improve our performance.

“Richie is a proven competitor on both the international and regions stage and has desire to come to the Dragons to make an impact”.

The Dragons are in the market for a fly-half, tighthead and lock but have struggled to secure deals.

“Myself and (head coach) Darren Edwards have put a lot of effort in but unfortunately other offers were made at the 11th hour,” said director of rugby Robert Beale to the Argus earlier this week.

“Andy Goode and Nicky Robinson were two very experienced outside halves that Darren and his coaching team felt would add to our squad.

“The moves fell through at the last minute but that doesn’t alter our recruitment strategy. We are working in a tough environment but are determined to push on and currently have offers out there in the key positions.

“We do have the money, and we are grateful to the board for increasing our budget, but we need to make sure we get the right player at the right price. We need to spend wisely.”

Comments(18)

East Newport Dave says...
1:13pm Fri 8 Mar 13

“We do have the money, and we are grateful to the board for increasing our budget, but we need to make sure we get the right player at the right price. We need to spend wisely.'

We don't need a scrum half!

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Robert Shillabeer says...
1:29pm Fri 8 Mar 13

We have only two scrun halves in the squad, this signing will make it three. Johnathan Evans is 21/22 and needs to develops bit a bit more and Richy Rees will be a good teacher alongside Wayne Evans. It at least gives us another bow to our elbow.

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SWBorderer says...
2:01pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I think it's a decent signing, he's a fiery character and will gee the team up, I agree with Robert that his experience will be a help to Jonathan, and Wayne seems to have gone off the boil. I just hope John Yapp doesn't follow him.

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exilemike says...
2:14pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Not impressed with this.need a pack before you look at nos 9 to 15Johnathon Evans will be fine with a half decent front five.

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Euwan Usami says...
3:02pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Does seem a little odd, unless Wayne is leaving. He has been out of favour you could argue. Of all the positions we struggle in, 9 isn't really one them. I hope it's not a reflex signing out of desperation. Ritchie IS a quality player but the money could have been better spent.

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cdfdragon says...
4:15pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Good signing. More like this please?

Oh and a new coaching setup of course!

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Robert Shillabeer says...
4:17pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Euwan Usami wrote:
Does seem a little odd, unless Wayne is leaving. He has been out of favour you could argue. Of all the positions we struggle in, 9 isn't really one them. I hope it's not a reflex signing out of desperation. Ritchie IS a quality player but the money could have been better spent.
Only time will tell if that's true, but a third scrum half and game maker with his experience can only be a good thing. This is just one signing and with a squad of 40 to 42 there is room and money available to strengthen the squad. Now for a better pack, that's the priority from here on in.

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PortORico says...
5:53pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Very good signing, cannot understand negative comments as obviously other positions will be strengthened too so this is "as well as" not "instead of" . Look forward to seeing Richie on Parade!

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broadsworddan says...
5:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I think this is a tidy signing. London Welsh are probably gonna be relegated now as they've just been docked five points. Perhaps we'll get Gav Henson and Lyn jones next season?!

Stranger things have happened.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
6:18pm Fri 8 Mar 13

broadsworddan wrote:
I think this is a tidy signing. London Welsh are probably gonna be relegated now as they've just been docked five points. Perhaps we'll get Gav Henson and Lyn jones next season?!

Stranger things have happened.
Not a foregone conclusion that London Welsh will be relegated they are only two points behind Sale and they have lodged an appeal with about six or seven games left. A single win could make the difference. As for Lynn Jones coming to the Dragons he's been there before and is known but that may be the thing that keeps him out of the running.

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corpardguy says...
7:52pm Fri 8 Mar 13

We do NOT need Lyn Jones!
He couldn't manage a good team well, Its one reason why Henson went the way he did and was ruined.
.

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Risca1 says...
10:18pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Jonathan Evans going to Ospreys will be next.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
1:05am Sat 9 Mar 13

Risca1 wrote:
Jonathan Evans going to Ospreys will be next.
Now your perhaps letting your anti Dragons thing come through. I. Don't think he wil go anywhere, it's just another player in the mix, we will have three players in one position, not over subscribed really more of under subscribed this season.

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East Newport Dave says...
7:37am Sat 9 Mar 13

We need big, nasty, scrummaging props and a quality outside half.

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kalwales@hotmail.com says...
9:57am Sat 9 Mar 13

great sign of intent by the Board, Well Done on the Capture of Richie Rees

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dragons#1 says...
11:19am Sat 9 Mar 13

Good signing if some qualily forwards follow. Hopefully this is just the start of a busy period

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Welshman76 says...
5:30pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Steffan jones needs an experienced 9 to learn from so good signing! Need an experienced 10 for johny Evans to learn from next as well as sorting front and second row! Oh and the coaches while we are at it!

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Welshman76 says...
5:30pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Steffan jones needs an experienced 9 to learn from so good signing! Need an experienced 10 for johny Evans to learn from next as well as sorting front and second row! Oh and the coaches while we are at it!

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