Rees heads for France

Cerith Rees has seen his form fall away at Bridgend

Former Wales under-21 fly-half Cerith Rees has secured a move to French club Grenoble.

Rees was second choice behind Craig Warlow last year at Bridgend, who've now signed ex-All Black Simon Mannix.

The 23-year-old from Carmarthen played in all the under-21s Six Nations games in 2000, but has failed to progress after switching from Neath to Swansea and then Bridgend.

Justin Thomas has been linked with Ebbw Vale

Grenoble, who have also signed prop Andrew Le Chevalier from Swansea, have just been promoted to the top 16 of French club rugby and will play Newcastle in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup.

"He had two years left at the Brewery Field, but we wanted to off-load him because Simon Mannix is coming here" said chief executive Adrian Hadley.

"Cerith has been a bit disappointing here with a few niggling injuries, but let's hope he can re-start his career."

Bridgend are also open to offers at scrum-half with Sililo Martens' arrival from Swansea likely to mean the departure of either Jason Hewlett or Huw Harries.

Ebbw Vale want to retain full-back Gareth Cull after a year's loan spell - but he's still on contract with Bridgend until December, and is currently recovering from a shoulder operation.

Teaching career

Meanwhile, former Wales full-back Justin Thomas has played down suggestions of a move from Caerphilly to Ebbw Vale.

"I've got a year left on my contract and I'm quite happy battling away where I am," Thomas told BBC Wales.

"I did hear from Vale at the end of the season and they suggested I could work my job round the training, but I haven't heard anything recently."

Thomas is currently combining his teaching career with a part-time playing role at Caerphilly.

Vale, who started pre season training on Monday, have lined up pre- season fixtures at Worcester on 9 August and at Bristol on 23 or 25 August.