PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 15th June 2019 - Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce that 27 players from the squad that recorded a second successive unbeaten WRU National Championship campaign last season, will remain at Pontypool Park for the club’s push to earn promotion back to the Principality Premiership next season.
Forwards; Craig Attwell, Lewis Ball, Aaron Coundley, Curtis Gregory, Michael Herbert, Corey Hewlett, Danny Hodge, Darren Hughes, Brendan Lampitt, Scott Matthews, Rob Nash, Craig Price, Ben Sparks, Alex Watkins, Jordan Williams join the backs division of Clayton Gullis, Lloyd Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Martin Luckwell, Joel Mahoney, Kieran Meek, Ceri Morris, Aaron Quick, Dan Robinson, Jordan Thomas, Rhodri Usher and Geraint Walsh in committing their futures to the club.
"Despite the huge disappointment of missing out on promotion in May, to have once again retained such a high percentage of our squad demonstrates the hunger within this group to finish what we started and take this club back to the Principality Premiership,” said Pontypool RFC head coach, Leighton Jones.
"It will be the most competitive Championship season since I took the job in 2016 and that's hugely motivating for us all. The Pooler faithful will have some big Gwent derbies against Cross Keys, Bedwas and Bargoed to look forward to and the prospect of facing Neath again in league competition is exciting.
“To fall at the final hurdle against Llanelli was a bitter pill to swallow, but we will come back stronger and more motivated than ever before as a group. We got a lot right last season and will look to build on those strong foundations.
“One of the lasting memories from our play-off game at the Talbot Athletic Ground was the support we enjoyed that night. I believe we have the best support in the country and we are driven to give them something to shout about once again.”
Seven members from last season's squad have departed the club, with Ollie Drake, Richard East, Ben Egan, Jamie Jeune, Ben Parry, Lewis Prothero and Cameron Watson-Boycott heading for pastures new.
Everybody at Pontypool RFC extends their sincerest thanks to Ollie, Richard, Ben, Jamie, Ben, Lewis and Cameron for their contributions to the club and we wish them every success in the future.
Early-bird season tickets are now available to purchase for the 2019-2020 WRU National Championship season. For all the details on how to purchase your ticket, please click here.
