Former Wales U20 cap and Cardiff Met skipper Aled Ward has opted to join English Championship side Hartpury University RFC next season.

Ward was in the Cardiff Met side that played Hartpury University in the 2018 BUCS Super Rugby play-off final at Twickenham in 2018 and has been capped at U18 and U20 level.

He also spent a year in the Cardiff Blues academy.

“Aled has been one of the stand-out players from BUCS Super Rugby over the past few years and can play at No.8 or blindside,” said Hartpury director of rugby, John Barnes.

“I’m really pleased to have him on board this coming season and looking forward to see what levels he can reach.  Danny Milton, the head coach at Cardiff Met, has high praise for Aled and giving him the captain’s armband at Met shows us what a talent he is.”

 

ATHLETE NEWS: @aled_ward joins @HartpuryRugby from another BUCS Super Rugby contender, Cardiff Met. pic.twitter.com/H9BnEqJexU

— Engagesport (@engagesport) June 4, 2020

Meanwhile, former Wales Sevens international Ryan Edwards has been released by English Premiership club Bristol Bears after nine years at the club.

He made his debut for the west country outfit back in 2011 while he was a student at the University of the West of England.

Born in Newport, Edwards graduated through the age grade ranks at the Dragons before moving to study in England. He spent a few months this year on loan at Cardiff Blues, but is now among 20 players released by the Bears.

The 29-year-old wing scored a try in the Blues’ win over Benetton Rugby before lockdown and had hoped to make an impression during his time at the Arms Park, where the Blues were struggling with injuries to their wide men.

Also among the players leaving Ashton Gate are Matt Protheroe and Nicky Thomas, who are joining the Ospreys, and former Wales U20, Cardiff Blues, Leicester and Scotland back row man Luke Hamilton.