PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 22nd July 2018 - Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce the signing of Scott Matthews from Cross Keys RFC for the club's crucial 2018-2019 WRU National Championship campaign.
The 24-year-old back-row joins Pooler after spending the last seven years with the Pandy Park outfit. He made his debut in April 2012 and went to make 134 appearances for the side.
Matthews rapidly became an integral part of Keys’ forward firepower and earned the captain’s armband from the age of just 22. He will undoubtedly bring those same leadership qualities with him to Pontypool Park.
Matthews, who has also represented the Dragons and Wales at Under-20s level in his young career, is determined to play a key role in the club's push for promotion.
On joining Pooler, he said: "I am really looking forward to a new chapter in my rugby career. I spent seven years at Cross Keys and hugely enjoyed my time there, but I cannot wait to take to the field for Pontypool and play my part in taking the club back to the Premiership.
"Pontypool is one of the great clubs and to be given the opportunity to play for them is something that excites me. Having spoken to head coach, Leighton Jones, the club has a very clear vision of where it wants to go and how it plans to achieve those goals.
"Pontypool has such a strong fan base. I can remember playing for Keys against Pontypool at Pandy Park in the quarter-finals of the National Cup in 2017 and their away support that day greatly impressed me. The new season cannot come quick enough." said Matthews.
As the club aim to leave nothing to chance as they chase promotion back to the Principality Premiership, head coach, Leighton Jones, is delighted to secure the signature of another proven Premiership performer.
"Scott is an excellent addition to a squad already packed with quality,” said Jones. “He is a player I have admired for a number of years and the fact that he is still some years off his peak is exciting.
"He is an out-and-out seven who will add further variation to a competitive back-row. Having captained Cross Keys at such a young age, he is obviously a player who commands respect from his fellow team-mates.
"We have assembled an incredibly strong squad and I firmly believe we can head into the new season with real confidence."
