Aberavon RFC v Pontypool RFC

Pontypool are excited to travel west and test themselves against Aberavon over the next fortnight, according to scrum-half Owain Leonard.

Pooler have already made an impact in the Premiership with an impressive showing against Gwent rivals Newport on the opening weekend before securing a hard-fought victory over Swansea last weekend.

The challenges continue to come with a double-header at the Talbot Athletic Ground in the diary for the next two weeks. The first will be a battle for points with a place in the next round of the WRU Premiership up for grabs in the following contest.

Leonard, who has featured in both games this season, says the squad are excited for the encounters that await them this season but insists they are aiming for the top.

“We had a really good game at Rodney Parade against Newport,” explained Leonard.

“The boys were strong, we put on a good performance and were unlucky not to get any points from that game.

“Then against Swansea, they put up a good fight but thankfully we got the win and we put on a good display again.

“I think we are just excited to keep the season going and keep Pontypool Park as a fortress and make it hard for teams to come down here and play.

“Hopefully we can take that form into the coming weeks against Aberavon.

“I’ve been down Aberavon many times and they always have a strong team.

“They put on good performances at home, they get a good crowd there and the Talbot Athletic Ground is a tough place to go.

“We are not underestimating them at all and are preparing well, looking at the analysis, tactics and how we want to play against them. The coaches are doing a great job preparing us.

“We’ve got them in the league this week and the cup next week and we’re excited. We’ll learn a lot about Aberavon at the weekend.”

Pooler enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in their history last season as they won every game they played.

Leonard recognises that it was a unique season where the club blew everyone away, however, their winning mentality has not faded just because they have been promoted.

“We’ve come to this league to be competitive and we want to be at the top of the table,” said Leonard.

“Last year was a great season, we were favourites in most of the games, if not all, and that is a different pressure.

“This year we are coming together as a team and we don’t just want to be competitive, we want to be one of the best teams in this league and that’s a different pressure again.

“We try not to let that pressure get to us.”