Steelmen swoop for Abuja and James

EBBW Vale have bolstered their squad for the Division One East run-in with two exciting new signings.

Wing Dan Ajuwa returns to Eugene Cross Park while former Wales rugby league international Aled James also joins the Steelmen.

Both will provide the Ebbw Vale coaching staff with extra options behind the scrum as the Gwent club go in search of back-to-back league titles.

The powerful Ajuwa, who scored 16 tries in 19 appearances for Ebbw Vale during last season, re-joins from Newport while he has also had a stint at Neath.

Brother of ex-Scarlets flyer Joe, 27-year-old Ajuwa bolsters the Steelmen’s already healthy collection of wingers.

As for James, he featured for Wales in the Four Nations last year and has Super League experience at the Crusaders and Widnes Vikings and has been player/coach for the South Wales Scorpions.

James, 29, will be looking to challenge for one of the centre berths and he also played on the wing during his career in rugby league.

“It’s so important to have strength in depth in this division and we feel that Dan and Aled’s signings bolster our great squad even further,” said assistant coach Jason Strange.

“Aled has a wealth of experience at the very highest levels of League, and we all know what an exciting and powerful player Dan is. We’re very pleased to have them both on board.”

Ebbw Vale are well set to retain their One East crown with a game in hand on Bargoed who they sit level on points with at the top of the table.

They host third-placed Newbridge this Saturday with Bargoed entertaining Treorchy in fifth.