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Wales Online
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Katie Sands & John Jones

Tonight's rugby news as Wales call in Olympic champion and Ospreys to make new signings

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, July 10.

Wales bring in Olympic champion

Wales have drafted in British sprinting legend Darren Campbell in a bid to increase players' speed during World Cup training.

Warren Gatland's wider training squad is currently in Switzerland on a high-altitude training camp, but players have been in mini-camps at Welsh rugby's Vale HQ for weeks running up to their first abroad camp.

Former Wales hooker Huw Bennett, now the WRU's head of physical performance, is in charge of making sure the players are as fit as possible for the World Cup in France in two months, and has tapped into the knowledge of Campbell, who won 200m silver at the 2000 Olympics and 4x100m gold four years later.

"We've had an emphasis on speed because we've had the time to do it," Bennett said. "We've had Darren Campbell, he's come in and done some sessions with us. So we're just monitoring that. Something we wouldn't have done before but we've been recording their 10m times and so on."

Asked which tests Wales players are being put through, he said: "Bronco is one of them, it's obviously a well-known test, the Bronco. Even before we've come out here, guys have hit PBs back in the Vale so the confidence from the players is obviously massive. Guys are making improvements throughout the weeks. So yes it looks good on paper, but now we're in a phase where we really are concentrating on rugby as well, and that's just making sure that their numbers are replicated in our rugby sessions.”

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Wales World Cup hopeful joins rival region

Wales World Cup hopeful Cai Evans has joined the Dragons from their United Rugby Championship rivals the Ospreys. Evans, 24, will offer the Dragons an option at full-back or fly-half.

He is currently in Switzerland on a two-week camp as part of Wales' World Cup training squad. Uncapped Evans follows the likes of Dan Lydiate, Dane Blacker and Corey Baldwin as new Dragons recruits for next season.

"We are delighted that Cai is joining us, and his ability to play in more than one position will be a real asset to our squad," Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said. "Cai is a talented young man who continues to improve every season, underlined by his recent call-up into the international set-up with Wales."

Ospreys plan to bring in new recruits

Reacting to Cai Evans' move, Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said fans can look forward to a number of new arrivals at the Swansea.com Stadium.

He said: "We respect Cai’s decision to leave and understand that you cannot always keep everyone. We wish him well on his journey. We are still recruiting and as our existing players positions become finalised it allows us then the scope to bring in some fresh players to help take us forward."

Hours later, the Ospreys announced that Will Griffiths, Rhys Henry and Ben Warren had all signed new deals to remain with the region.

The trio of young forwards are likely to play a key role for Booth next season following the loss of several high-profile players.

Back-rower Griffiths, 24, was ruled out for most of last season with a knee injury sustained in October. Griffiths has previously captained the Ospreys and has made 49 outings in total for the side. Warren joined Ospreys two years ago from Cardiff, having represented Wales at each age grade from under-16s to under-20s.

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