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Cardiff Blues sign two new scrum halves

30th March 2007


Cardiff Blues can confirm that they have signed two new scrum halves for next season.

Jason Spice of the Ospreys and Welsh scrum half, Richie Rees from London Irish, will both link up with the Blues during the summer.

The Blues have secured the signature of Jason Spice from the Ospreys following significant interest from clubs in both in the Guinness Premiership and indeed overseas. The experienced Kiwi played for New Zealand A in 2000 and appeared on the bench for the All Blacks in 2001.

Spice has played over 70 times for the Ospreys since his arrival in 2004 and scored 12 tries for them. Born in Matamata in the North Island and educated at Matamata College, Jason Spice, went on to study in Waikato University and played for New Zealand Universities in 1999.

He played club rugby for Waikato from 1995 to1998 and Wellington from 1999 to 2003 and also played Super 12 rugby representing the Blues in 1998 and the Hurricanes from 1999 to 2003.

Another target for many clubs and one of Wales’s brightest scrum half prospects, Rees, has impressed with his performances for London Irish this season including an outstanding display in the EDF Energy Cup match between the Blues and Irish at the Arms Park back in December.

Cardiff Blues supporters may remember him taking a quick tap penalty in his own twenty two and sprinting all the way in to the Blues twenty two before releasing Justin Bishop to score under the posts.

Rees has represented Wales at under 21 level and started his rugby career at Dunvant and the Ospreys before moving to London Irish in 2006.

Speaking of the signings Cardiff Blues Chief Executive, Robert Norster said:

“Having another two quality players such as Jason and Richie join us next season will be a welcome boost to our squad. Jason brings with him a vast amount of experience and a considerable skill set whilst Richie is regarded as one of the most promising young Welsh talents around”.