Pontypool RFC v Maesteg Harlequins RFC

Pontypool RFC welcome Maesteg Harlequins RFC to a new-look Pontypool Park tomorrow afternoon in the opening game of the new WRU Admiral National Championship, 630 days after Pooler’s last competitive fixture.

It’s not been the most ideal preparation for Leighton Jones and his squad with the WRU’s decision to bring the start of the season forward, which in turn disrupted the coaching staff’s plan on returning to action.

A lack of pre-season friendlies and a plethora of injuries have added to that headache but head coach Jones insists his side are ready.

“It’s been quite frustrating this pre-season with a lack of games, injuries and moving around different venues training but the last two or three weeks, every week there has been an added buzz,” he said.

“This week the boys have been really buzzing and you can feel the game week attitude and mindset has come back, not just with the players but with the coaches, physios, even the supporters back watching training. I think everyone is excited.

“We’ve still got injuries to key players but as has always been the case with Pontypool, nothing’s come easy.

“We’ve had to work hard for everything, we’ve had to roll our sleeves up and that’s the kind of mentality of the boys.

“We’ve got some strength in depth so the boys are just carrying on as normal. The quality in the squad is quite close so the boys who are stepping in are more than capable.

“Week by week our standards have been building and building. While we haven’t had a game, training’s been intense and full on and there’s been a lot of questions asked.

“Every week the boys are raising their standards so hopefully we’ll get out there Saturday and we can enjoy the day.”

There will be a few new faces in the line-up with debuts for former Ebbw Vale duo Ashley Sweet and Cameron Regan while Ethan Davies, who played for Pooler during the 2017/18 season, comes back into the team after joining from the Wales International Sevens set-up.

But the squad isn’t the only thing that’s been upgraded. Pontypool Park has undergone a complete renovation during the pandemic and supporters will be able to enjoy an improved matchday experience on their return to the ground.

“Looking round here now it’s a fantastic stadium,” Jones added.

“I think the whole community of Torfaen have got Peter and Ben [Jeffreys] to be thankful for this.

“As we’ve known for years our supporters are an amazing bunch and now they’ve got a place they can come and really enjoy a game in a superior stadium.

“Unfortunately, through the break we have lost some volunteers and some supporters are no longer with us but it’ll be great for the players, especially the local boys to look around and see the familiar faces from around the town and players’ families.

“It’s just nice to get back to that family environment, which we’ve been creating here.

“We’ve played Maesteg Quins for the last couple of years before COVID and they’re a decent team.

“The tactics they’ve got suit the team, they don’t back down, they are a very confrontational team and the boys will show them the respect they deserve.

“It’s a tussle and a battle when we play them and the boys are looking forward to that challenge. It’s great to have an opening game like that.”

Jones is able to call on Pat Lewis, who bagged nine tries in 14 games in the 2019/20 season before play was suspended in March 2020. Kieran Meek’s ability from the tee is also likely to be crucial with the outside half kicking 163 points in the season, alongside seven tries.

Scott Matthews, who bagged a hat-trick of tries in the 39-13 victory over Maesteg Quins in 2018, will lead the team out with the aim of preserving Pooler’s incredible home record. The club are unbeaten in 40 games at Pontypool Park and will look to keep that going into the new era of the ground.