Medical update and new signing

The attritional nature of the Premiership is now beginning to affect the Ebbw Vale squad and all Ebbw supporters should bear this in mind when looking at chosen squads.

First the good news…
Carl Meyer has recovered from the hamstring strain and will be fit for selection this Friday.
Jonathan Davies has recovered from the shoulder injury sustained at the end of last season and, following a few comeback games with Ynsddu, is now available for selection.
Toby Fricker has recovered from the strains and knocks following the Merthyr game and will be available for selection this Friday; he has, however, requested that he doesn’t have to play in the back row!
James Lewis is also available for selection following recovery from a virus.

The less than good news…
Dom Franchi after sustaining an ankle injury in the final minutes of the Pontypridd game is 1/2 weeks away from being available for selection.
Joel Harries who sustained an ankle injury in the warm up for the Merthyr game has had an operation under the capable scalpel of Dr Rhys Thomas  this week and his expected return is 12 weeks. This is particularly disappointing for young Joel who has performed extremely strongly in the first 8 games of the season.
Cameron Reagan sustained a head injury just prior to half time in the attritional Merthyr game and will be available for selection after this week.
Lance Randall suffered a bicep injury in the Merthyr game. Lance is awaiting a medical review which will be completed this week and is facing a 12 to 20 week lay off depending on medical opinion of the correct course of action for the injury sustained.
Ashley Sweet is still 1/2 weeks away from being fit for selection following the rib injury sustained in the Cross Keys game.
Rhys Clarke having suffered rib injures in successive game is 1/ 2 weeks away from being able to return.

Ebbw Sign Canadian International Paul Ciulini
With a serious current  injury crisis in the second row, the Steelmen have  signed Canadian International lock, Paul Cuilini, following discussions with Steelmen favourite and current Canadian National Coach, Kingsley Jones. Canada will be playing in a World Cup play off in France in the next few weeks and Paul, who has 8 caps to his name, was unlucky not to make the cut for the squad. Kingsley was keen to have him close at hand and battle hardened in case of injury and Paul will be with us for the next few games. The 23 year old, 6ft 5” and 20st second row is a timely arrival and trained with the squad on Tuesday evening in the rain and high winds as a welcome to Blaenau Gwent.
Coach Greg Woods and Chairman Jon Jones would like to take the opportunity to thank Kingsley, the Canadian RFU and its staff for agreeing the move and acting with speed and diligence to make Paul available for selection.