Pontypool RFC v Merthyr RFC

Ollie Drake is relishing playing in front of “the best fans” again following his return to Pontypool.

The prop left for Cardiff in 2019 but decided to return to Pontypool Park this summer ahead of the club’s promotion to the Indigo Premiership.

The visit of Merthyr to Pontypool Park tomorrow evening represents the first time the supporters will get to fill The Ray Prosser Stand since the club’s long-awaiting elevation to the Premiership.

Drake, who helped Pooler to three consecutive Championship titles, is excited to hear the roar from the fans and is expecting a raucous occasion tomorrow evening.

“These fans are the best fans hands down, having fans watching you train is bonkers,” exclaimed Drake.

“I doubt professional teams get that so it’s a nice experience to be here and it’s good to be back.

“I think it will be bouncing [against Merthyr] and I doubt there will be an empty seat, especially on a Friday night.

“I think it will be a brilliant experience for everyone involved.”

During the 29-year-old’s stint in the capital, Drake lifted the Indigo Premiership title and WRU Premiership Cup as well as racking up plenty of games and he hopes his experiences can help the rest of the squad.

“I left Pontypool as someone who was still learning the game whereas now I can be someone who is teaching a bit more,” said Drake, who won the Player of the Season award in 2018.

“There are some things I think we [as players] can impart but there are coaches here who have also been there and I am definitely going to be listening and learning from the coaches.

“I’m not the only player that has been in the Premiership and that’s another benefit of being here, it’s a learning experience for everyone and we can all bounce ideas off each other.

“You are not going to get shouted at for suggesting something good.”

The friendly against Pontypridd marked Drake’s return and with the fixture against the Ironmen rounding off pre-season, Drake feels playing Premiership opposition is ideal preparation for the season ahead.

“I think it is vital,” he continued.

“You can do as much training and running as you want but it isn’t going to marry up playing games against these types of opposition.

“Pontypridd and Merthyr are at the top end of the league, they are very good opposition to have it pre-season as it lets us experience it fully.”