Pertemps
Bees have moved quickly to fill the gap left by the enforced departure of Australia
sevens scrum-half Rod Petty by signing Wales Under-21 international Nick Griffiths
from Magners League side Ospreys.Griffiths, who played for Wales in last year's IRB Under-21 World Championships in France, has opted for a move to England after finding his route to a regular first team place at the Ospreys blocked by the presence of former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall.
Griffiths, a product of the Ospreys Academy system, made only one first team appearance last season, as a replacement in a friendly against Harlequins and spent most of the campaign playing for Bridgend in the Welsh Premiership.
He had trials with Worcester recently but the Guinness Premiership club were unable to offer him a contract as they already have three scrum-halves. But Worcester's new coaching team of Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths were quick to recommend him to Pertemps Bees.
"We have a good dialogue going with Worcester at the moment and when Mike and Clive heard that we were looking for a scrum-half they recommended Nick to us," said Ben Harvey, Pertemps Bees' backs coach.
"He wants to give it a go in English rugby and he impressed in his trial at Worcester although they weren't able to offer him a contract. But he looks the part and he will add depth to our squad."
Pertemps Bees were forced to release Petty because of new regulations which will prevent non-EU players playing as amateurs in the coming season.
Griffiths is expected to challenge England Counties international Paul Knight, who has returned to Pertemps Bees after a season with Moseley, for the number nine shirt.