Pooler announce seven new squad signings

Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce the signing of seven new squad members.

Keagan Bale, Mike Burke, Kieran Brown, Rhys Cleverly, James Edwards, Dan Haile and James Johnston have all joined Pontypool RFC for the remainder of the 2013/2014 season.

Bale joins Pontypool RFC as a prop from Caerleon Youth RFC and is also a member of the Dragons Academy. Bale has also recently been selected for the Wales Under 18 squad set to face France and England. Brown, Edwards and Johnston also enter the club as prop specialists, joining from Blackwood RFC, Newbridge RFC and the Newport Gwent Dragons academy respectively.

Burke returns to Pontypool RFC for the first time since making 12 appearances for the club during 2010 and will specialise as a winger. Cleverly, formerly of Penalta RFC and Haile, a previous servant of Abertillery RFC, will operate as hooker and centre respectively.

Pontypool RFC also welcomes Leon Brown and Lloyd Lewis, who have joined the club from the Newport Gwent Dragons Academy in a development capacity. Both Brown and Lewis have achieved selection for the Wales Under 18 squad and will continue to obtain further experience in a senior environment under the guidance of Pontypool RFC’s coaching staff.

Pontypool RFC Head Coach, Mike Hook, said: “We are delighted to announce these acquisitions to the club for the remainder of the season. As we enter a pivotal period of the year, it is important that our squad has the depth of talent necessary to maintain our position in the top half of the SWALEC Championship table and we look forward to the challenge of competing for the remainder of the season.”

Pontypool RFC also announces that Sam Cook and Luke Palmer are no longer members of the playing squad for the club. Cook has departed Pontypool RFC to join Newbridge RFC, whereas Palmer, who served as a regular member of the front row for the previous two seasons, has left the club to join the Royal Marines.

On behalf of everybody at Pontypool RFC, the club wishes all of the new signings and both Cook and Palmer every success in their new roles.