CROSS Keys have pulled off a coup by signing former Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons scrum-half Richie Rees, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 32-year-old was appointed Dragons academy skills coach last May at the end of his playing deal with the Rodney Parade side but won't be hanging up his boots.

Rees made 20 appearances last season and showed that he still has plenty to give on the field despite his long-standing desire to move into education.

Bayonne looked into tempting him to France as they attempt to return to the Top 14 while big-spending Swalec Championship promotion hopefuls Merthyr were also said to be interested.

However, the nine-times capped half-back will instead ply his trade for the men from Pandy Park, who in 2014/15 qualified for the Principality Premiership play-offs for the second successive year and were Swalec Cup semi-finalists.

"We are over the moon to have signed Richie," said head coach Greg Woods. "It's a real fillip for the club and is a statement of our intent.

"Richie is a quality player with a strong character and a wealth of experience. He is good friends with (backs coach and former Wales full-back) Morgan Stoddart and when we met with him it was clear that he still has the hunger to play.

"Richie is starting a new career with the academy and we will have to fit in around his work commitments but he will make sure there is excellent competition at 9 plus we have got two young 10s in Ethan Davies and Josh Prosser who will benefit from his experience."

Keys secretary Chris Clarke believes the signing of the former Wales international shows the strides made by the club, who made great progress in recent seasons to become perennial contenders for silverware.

"It's recognition of what the club has achieved in recent seasons and hopefully his arrival, together with that of new conditioning coach Steve Pledger, will take us to another level," said Clarke.

"Already this summer we have signed Ieaun Jones, who has come to Cross Keys from professional rugby with the aim of reviving his career, and that shows the level that we have been playing at.

"Part of the Premiership's role is developing players and coaches and the signing of Richie will help us continue to fulfil that."