CROSS Keys new signing Aaron Bramwell hopes he can help the Pandy Park outfit reach next year’s Premiership play-offs after they so narrowly missed out last season.

The versatile former Wales sevens international, who can play outside-half, centre and wing, has joined from Neath primarily as a full back.

The highly capable 27-year-old ex-Ebbw Vale and Pontypridd man felt it was the right time to bid farewell to the Welsh All Blacks and was impressed by Keys’ pedigree.

“I was with Neath for a good number of years and I just felt it was the time for a new challenge and coming to Pandy Park is a great opportunity for me,” he said.

“Keys have been competing well for a number of seasons and won the Swalec Cup and got to the final of the British and Irish Cup last year.

“They are there or thereabouts in the Premiership and hopefully we’ll be challenging again for the play-offs in the coming season.”

He added: “I’m coming here as a full back and that’s another big thing for me.

“I have played in a number of positions in the past, but I’ve really settled down at full back in the last few years and that’s where I played most of my age grade rugby.”

Bramwell has been impressed by strength in depth of the Keys squad.

“Keys have made a number of signings to boost their squad and they’ve got a competitive environment where everybody will push each other,” he said.

Bramwell outlined how Keys’ head coach Greg Woods is keen for his side to play an expansive game.

“I’ve spoken to Greg and he wants us to be getting the ball wide and for me to be an attacking full back,” he said.

“That suits me better and hopefully we can play a bit of rugby.”

Bramwell thinks his new side can be even more competitive than last season and is confident the acquisition of Wales sevens player Rhys Jones, son of new Newport Gwent Dragons forwards coach Kingsley and brother of Keys outside-half Dorian, will have a big impact.

“Last year Keys had a good squad but they picked up a number of injuries and that makes things difficult,” he said. “This season we’ve brought in Rhys who I’ve played sevens with and hopefully we can add more strength to the side.

“Keys have got proven players like (centre) Leon Andrews who is a fantastic player so I’m looking forward to working with the boys really.”