Pooler add power and pace to backs division with the addition of Pontypridd RFC’s Geraint Walsh

PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 17th June 2018 - Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce the signing of full-back, Geraint Walsh, for the 2018-2019 WRU National Championship campaign.

30-year-old Walsh joins the club after spending much of the last six years with Pontypridd RFC, where he played a key role in the club accumulating an impressive four straight Principality Premiership title triumphs between 2012 and 2015.

In addition to his league honours, the versatile back added two National Cups, one Foster's Cup and the 2013-2014 Principality Premiership ‘Player of the Season’ award to his personal medals haul whilst plying his trade at ‘The House of Pain’.

After bringing an illustrious stint at Sardis Road to a close this month, Walsh sought a new opportunity and rapidly decided that Pooler was the right place to continue his stellar rugby career.

On joining the club, he said: “I was seeking a fresh challenge and no other Premiership club appealed to me anywhere near as much as the chance to join Pontypool RFC.

“Pooler is one of the most iconic clubs in Welsh rugby history and with Pontypool being such a passionate rugby town, I knew this was something I wanted to be part of.

“The ambition of the club was also a big draw for me and I am excited by the drive everybody has to take the club back to the Premiership next season.

“There is a lot of quality and strength in depth at the club, which means competition for places with be fierce – but I am looking forward to the challenge and cannot wait to get started with my new teammates.”

Walsh is also no stranger to Regional Rugby, having represented Cardiff Blues during the 2014-2015 season and it is this vast experience that Pooler’s backs coach, Matthew Jones, will be looking to call upon during the club’s push to seal a return to the Principality Premiership next season.

“Geraint is an excellent addition to the squad and his wide-ranging talents will be a huge asset to us in the season ahead,” said Jones.

“Geraint was a key component to much of the success Pontypridd enjoyed inside the last decade and I have no doubt that his contributions - both on and off the field - will yield similar results at Pontypool Park.

"His understanding of the game is a huge strength and his ability to create space for others in attack will prove invaluable. He likes to challenge defences and will give us an extra dimension in attack that will complement our already strong contingent of backs.”