Former Scarlets and Wales Under 20 No 8 Rory Pitman has joined Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale.

The 26-year-old made 28 appearances for the Scarlets over the past two seasons and becomes the second big name regional player to drop down to the Premiership for the upcoming campaign following the switch by former Wales international centre Gavin Evans from Cardiff Blues to Neath.

The 118kg back row man came through the Ospreys development set-up before playing professionally for Glasgow, Rotherham, Wasps, London Welsh and the Scarlets. He follows in the footsteps of outside half Josh Lewis who switches from Parc y Scarlets to Eugene Cross Park this summer.

The Steelmen have also been boosted by the news that Jordan Howells has committed himself to a fourth season at the club. He will join Adam Jones and Nathan Preece in pushing for a starting berth in the side as they seek to defend their title.

Former Wales coach Nigel Davies will continue to mastermind the club's coaching structure next season and will have a new forwards coach to help him in Lee Davies. Davies takes over from former Wales prop Ceri Jones, who has moved on to help the Dragons.

Davies played as a prop at Ebbw Vale for three seasons between 2003-2006 and also played for Bridgend and Pontypridd in the Premiership. A WRU Level 3 coach, he currently works in the rugby academy at Coleg y Cymoedd and last season coached Beddau to a sixth place finish in the Championship.

Damien Hudd will assist Davies with the forwards coaching, although he will continue to play, while Nick Wakley will carry on his good work as the club's backs coach next season. Their first assignment will be on Friday, 12 August, when the Steelmen play their first pre-season friendly at newly promoted Bedlinog.

Ebbw Vale will then travel to London to meet reigning British & Irish Cup holders London Welsh an Imber Court on Saturday, 27 August. They will also play in the Foster's National Sevens at the BT Sports Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, 28 August.

The Premiership champions have also been able to draft in a new main sponsor for the 2016/17 campaign in the shape of the iconic British sports car manufacturer, TVR. The company's famous logo will appear on the front of player's shirts and shorts.

The news reinforces TVR's commitment to the local community following its announcement earlier this year that it is to manufacture its new vehicle, engineered by Gordon Murray Design and powered by Cosworth, in Ebbw Vale, and which will have its public launch in 2017