Having warmed-up for Saturday’s opening game against Narberth at Pontypool Park with a crushing win at Maesteg,and run Premeiership outfit Aberavon to within a point, Leighton Jones’ side look ready to hit the ground running. There are new coaches and new players.
Former Wales outside half Matthew Jones is doubling up as backs coach and No 10, while both Simon Church, as strength and conditioning coach, and Andrew Quick, who will be in charge of defence, are returning to the club after coaching and playing commitments elsewhere.
But it is on the field that the biggest recruitment has come with a further 10 additions made to the squad in the final week before the big kick-off. They come on top of the recruitment of Jones, full back Kieran Meek, prop Aaron Coundley, scrum half Dan Brooks and lock Richard East.
The latest tranche of signings are: Cameron Boycott (No8), Callum Davies (flanker – Blaenavon), Ollie Drake (tighthead prop – Usk), Sam Evans (tighthead prop – Blaenavon), Curtis Gregory (second row – Cross Keys College), Brandon Kent (centre – Peebles), Kristian Smith (second row – British Army) , Tomos Tippa (tighthead prop – Nantyglo), Alex Watkins (hooker – Newport) and Sam Watkins (full-back – Garndiffaith).
“We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to introduce these 10 highly ambitious and talented individuals to our team,£ said head coach Leighton Jones.
“Since the disappointment the club experienced in May by narrowly missing out on promotion to the Principality Premiership division, we have established a three season plan that builds on the solid foundations we had already established by enhancing our focus on developing our next generation of player that will develop over that timeframe.
“The entire management team were massively encouraged by the skills, drive and determination shown by everybody who wore the jersey throughout pre-season – particularly against Aberavon – and I am confident that we have a team both deep enough and focused enough to ensure that we bring success back to Pontypool Park.
“That heartache we felt in May has become the biggest motivator imaginable and we are looking forward to getting our season underway next week. It is going to be a tough season but we are firmly focused on the challenges ahead of us.”
Matthew Jones brings with him 12 years of professional rugby experience and also has a lot of local knowledge having been head or rugby at Cross Keys College for the past three years. He could be a vital cog in the new look Pooler machine.
Narberth, who finished ninth in the Championship last season, will arrive buoyed by their22-19 home win over Premiership side Neath last weekend. James Bain, Nick Gale and Jack Price crossed for tries for Narberth and Gale kicked the rest of the points to get the Otters in the mood for the new season.
Newly promoted Dunant, who won the Division 1 West title last season, host Newbridge, while the Division 1 East Central winners, Glamorgan Wanderers head to Bedlinog to face another of the new boys in the division.
Bedlinog won both the Division 1 East and Swalec Plate titles last season and will be looking to continue their rise up the pecking order of Welsh rugby. Another ambitious newcomer will be Skewen, who won the Division 1 West Central title with a 16 point cushion last season.
Cardiff Met have warmed up for their trip to Newcastle Emlyn with pre-season wins over Luctonians (12-5) and Henley Hawks (29-14). Dunvant host Newbridge nd Tata Steel welcome Beddau in the other first round fixtures.
National Championship Round 1 – Saturday, 3 September
Bedlinog v Glamorgan Wanderers
Dunvant v Newbridge
Newcastle Emlyn v Cardiff Met
Pontypool v Narberth
Skewen v Glynneath
Tata Steel v Beddau
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