EBBW Vale have bolstered their back row with the signing of Ethan Doyle but scrum-half Rhys Downes has left the club for Merthyr.

Number eight Doyle, 25, started his career at Newport Saracens and caught the eye of the Steelmen with a strong performance against them while in the colours of Newbridge in 2013.

He spent last season playing for Old Redcliffians but has returned to Wales and will provide competition for Dragons academy prospect Harri Keddie.

Downes, however, has opted to drop down a division after accepting a three-year contract from big-spending Championship side Merthyr.

His departure leaves Ebbw with one scrum-half on their books – Chris Thomas – as David Jones has signed for Bedwas.

Meanwhile Newport have bolstered their ranks with another player from the city in Tom Piper, a 27-year-old tighthead prop who spent last season with Llanharan after previously playing for Newport HSOB and Caerphilly.

The Black and Ambers have also signed the Newport-born trio of wing Wes Cunliffe, number eight Spencer Gibson and loosehead John Lavender from Ebbw Vale.

They have also secured the returns of openside flanker Craig Attwell and back row/lock Rhodri Jones after spells in Australia and Ireland.