WING Owen Williams has made the move from Ebbw Vale to fellow Principality Premiership playoff hopefuls Newport.

The 29-year-old from Blackwood has transferred Gwent clubs in search of more regular rugby and featured in the Black and Ambers’ Swalec Cup defeat to Carmarthen Quins last weekend.

Williams, a Wales sevens international, signed for the Steelmen from Pontypridd in the summer of 2014 and helped them finish as runners-up to his former side.

He will hope to enjoy another title tilt at Rodney Parade with Newport sitting fifth in the table, just five points back on leaders Llandovery with two games in hand.

Tighthead Luke Leddington has also moved from Eugene Cross Park in search of game time with the prop, a member of the Wales Under-20s squad last season, joining former Ebbw boss Neil Edwards at Newbridge.

The Steelmen will return to action for the first time since January 2 this evening when they take on Cross Keys in the Foster’s Challenge Cup in Ystrad Mynach (kick-off 8pm).

The development competition fixture has been switched to the 3G surface at the Dragons’ training because of recent poor weather, in the process protecting the Eugene Cross Park pitch ahead of Saturday’s British and Irish Cup game between the Dragons Premiership Select XV and Connacht Eagles.

Ebbw need to win if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup with Bedwas currently leading the way in the Gwent group with two wins from their three games.

The winners of the three geographical pools qualify along with the best runner-up with Carmarthen Quins and Pontypridd currently setting the pace elsewhere.

Standings

Pool A: Carmarthen Q P4 14pts, Llandovery P4 10pts, Neath P4 8pts, Llanelli P4 6pts

Pool B: Pontypridd P5 18pts, Aberavon P5 14pts, Cardiff P5 14pts, Bridgend P5 5pts

Pool C: Bedwas P3 11pts, Ebbw Vale P4 7pts, Cross Keys P2 5pts, Newport P1 0pts