FLY-HALF Evan Lloyd is staying with Ebbw Vale for next season's Premiership campaign after being released by the Dragons.

The 22-year-old made 10 appearances and scored 74 points for the Steelmen in 2021/22 after being sent to RGC for game time at the start of the campaign.

Lloyd has been let go by the Dragons but is staying in Gwent to pull the strings for Jason Strange's side.

"I really enjoyed the back end of the season with Ebbw Vale playing some regular rugby," he said. "I am now looking forward to a new challenge and working with the new coaching team.

"I want to enjoy my time at this great club and help develop an exciting brand of winning rugby."

Lloyd made his Dragons debut at Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup in December 2020.

He went on to face Edinburgh in the PRO14 and the Scarlets in the Rainbow Cup but failed to make a regional outing last season.

Lloyd will fill the boots of experienced fly-half Geraint Rhys Jones as Ebbw rebuild after finishing one from bottom in the Premiership.

Strange has added firepower by signing full-back Morgan Richards, from Caldicot, from Pontypridd.

Carrick McDonough on the charge for Wales Under-20s

Carrick McDonough on the charge for Wales Under-20s

He is joined in the back three by Carrick McDonough who, like Lloyd, is staying with the Steelmen after being released by the Dragons and will continue to work with Wales Sevens.

Wing Ryan Gardner returns to Eugene Cross Park after injury misfortune let to him leaving in 2017, going on to have spells with Brynmawr and Newport.

Tighthead Jordan Pritchard heads to Ebbw after previously playing for Treorchy, Pontypridd, Swansea and the Ospreys A.

Ebbw have added to their boilerhouse by bringing in lock Andrew Mann, who helped Newport win the Premiership Cup last season.

He is joined by fellow second rowers Jordan Davies, who has played for Hafodyrynys, Abertillery and Croesyceiliog, and Curtis Gregory, who moves to his hometown club from Pontypool to follow in the footsteps of his father Mark.