Newport RFC v Pontypool RFC

Deon Smith has labelled Sunday’s Indigo Premiership opener against Newport as “a massive moment for the club”.

Pooler were staring at a bleak future just over a decade ago when they were demoted from the Premiership by the WRU.

However, under the stewardship of Executive Chairman Peter Jeffreys, the club has been on a steady rise since he took control in 2012.

And after a long, and sometimes frustrating, wait to return to the Premiership, that 11-year journey will finally be complete when the players take to the Rodney Parade surface on Sunday evening.

The S4C cameras are also on hand to capture Pooler’s return, which puts them up against local rivals Newport to add an extra layer of intrigue to the occasion.

Winger Smith, who bagged 15 tries last season, is relishing the club’s return to the top tier of community rugby and is eager to show they belong at this level.

“I think everybody can feel the magnitude of this year and especially the opening game, he said.

“It’s a massive moment for Pontypool as a town and community.

“The opener being against Newport definitely adds an edge and then you add the TV element, which adds a little more to it.

“Everybody has worked hard behind the scenes and on the field for a long time to get back to where we are now.

“The supporters have always been a massive part of the journey so it will be nice to see the club back where it belongs.”

Preparation for the season has seen Pooler take on two Premiership teams in Pontypridd and Merthyr, which both resulted in narrow losses.

Smith feels the lessons learned in those games will equip them well for the campaign ahead.

“The pre-season games have been full of learning for us, and as a group we have adapted elements,” he added.

“It’s been a tough pre-season and during the games you can see the reasons why and the rewards from the work we have done with [Gareth[ Bettsy.

“The messages from the coaches have been familiar for us as players. We have always had high standards throughout the club.

“The squad is definitely able to be competitive within the Premiership.

“Everybody has worked extremely hard to get where we are so therefore the togetherness is still there.

“Everybody is looking forward to the challenge and that can only be a good thing.

“Now we can go out and show why we belong here.”