PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 16th November 2018 –Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce the signing of Darren Hughes from Neath RFC, in a move that will bolster the club’s front row options heading into the second half of one of the most important seasons in Welsh club rugby history.
The 28-year old hooker and former Welsh super heavyweight amateur boxing champion arrives at Pontypool Park after a three-month spell at The Gnoll. Prior to his time with the Welsh All Blacks, Hughes enjoyed stints with Tredegar RFC, Newbridge RFC and Cross Keys RFC.
It was his stay at Pandy Park that allowed Hughes to display his abilities as a no-nonsense scrummaging hooker to a wider audience. He made 135 appearances over a five-year period at Keys and also featured for the Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select XV.
At Pontypool Park, Hughes will compete with Lewis Ball, Ben Parry and Alex Watkins for the famed Pooler number 2 jersey and is relishing the opportunity.
"I'm well aware of the quality the club already possesses in my position and I will have to work extremely hard to earn a place in the team," said Hughes.
"It will probably sound cliched but competition for places only improves you as a player and I can't wait to get started.
"I'm really excited to be joining Pontypool and I’m looking forward to linking up with some old team-mates from my days at Cross Keys. The challenge of hopefully taking this great club back to the Premiership is one I couldn't turn down and I’m determined to do all I can to ensure this happens."
Pontypool RFC head coach, Leighton Jones, is pleased to have bolstered his front-row options at such a pivotal moment in the club’s storied history.
On welcoming Hughes to Pontypool Park, he said: "Darren is a proven Premiership performer and his arrival is a real boost for us. We already have a formidable set of forwards and Darren reinforces that.
"As I know from my playing days, the front-row is a physically demanding place to play your rugby. We need strength in depth and options in that area and Darren's arrival will ensure that everybody remains fresh throughout this vitally important season."
Hughes’ first opportunity to break into Pooler’s starting fifteen will be when the club hosts Cardiff Met RFC at Pontypool Park on 23rd November 2018, in what is set to be a mouth-watering top of the table clash.
