By David Williams
Former Scarlets trio Harri Williams, Griff Evans and Iestyn Rees have all joined English Championship outfit Ampthill.
Scrum-half Williams is set to play for Wales U20 at next month’s World Junior Championships in South Africa, while lock Evans and back row man Rees will join him in adding further Welsh flavour to Paul Turner’s Ampthill mob next season.
The talented trio will join fellow Welshmen Syd Blackmore, Cai Devine, Llewellyn Jones, Gwyn Parks and Morgan Strong at Ampthill, while another, Ben Cambriani, is heading to Zebre to play in the URC next season.
Congratulations to our friends at @Saracens on winning @premrugby especially ex-Ampthill players Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl and Theo Dan.🏆🏉
We’re pleased to see Theo playing in the Saracens 1st XV after some really impressive performances for the Mob in @Champrugby this season👊 pic.twitter.com/7U93DzvEwS
— Ampthill Rugby (@AmpthillRufc) May 28, 2023
Williams made two appearances for the Scarlets senior side and represented Llanelli RFC in the Welsh Premiership last season, while Evans played in two friendlies and was in the Llandovery side that lifted the Indigo Premiership trophy.
Former Wales U20 cap Rees was another player who helped the Drovers win their first Premiership title.
He made six appearances in the Scarlets colours, coming off the bench in this season’s Judgement Day clash against the Dragons and the Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow Warriors.
Cambriani joined Ampthill from the Ospreys in the summer of 2021 and scored 21 tries in 27 games for the club, ending his first season as the top try scorer, Player of the Year and winning a place in the Championship Team of the Season at outside centre.
Scarlets can confirm that Harri Williams, Griff Evans and Iestyn Rees are to join @AmpthillRufc for next season
Thanks and good luck to all three
Pob lwc bois 👊
🔗https://t.co/Ncr7mj8CfG#YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/UBFRXPfs7W
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) June 6, 2023
Injury curtailed his playing time last season, but former Wales outside-half and Dragons head coach Turner helped him to develop his skills to return to the full-time professional world.
“Ben has gone really well for us since joining from Ospreys – he gave us some X-factor last season and finished as top scorer and was our Player of the Year,” said Turner.
“It’s a shame that his season has been hampered with injury but I’m sure he’ll come back stronger,” said Turner.
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