Cooper to join the newco?


By Web Team
April 27 2003

After our speculation some months ago there has been further reports recently that believe that Gareth Cooper is about to join the Bridgend Pontypridd region. Read on for more...

Cooper to join the newco?

A few months ago we speculated that Gareth Cooper was about to join Pontypridd and at the time we were unaware that there were about to be radical changes in Welsh Rugby. However more recent reports have indicated that Cooper is poised to join the new Bridgend Pontypridd region for next season.

If Cooper is about to sign then the remaining question is who will get the other scrum half place in the regional team? Paul John is coming to the end of his career at the top and Huw Harries also looks set to miss out. So will it be Sililo Martens or former Wales sevens Captain Gareth Baber?

This is what we said in the Transfer Talk column of Red Dragon Rugby a few months back:

Player: Gareth Cooper Current Club: Bath
Possible transfer to: Pontypridd
Investigation findings: Been speculated about in the past however, with Bath poised to be relegated from the Zurich premiership Cooper may feel that a move across the border would benefit his international aspirations. Pontypridd are believed to have shown interest in him in the past and with Paul John coming to the end of his career, a rotation system involving Gareth Baber and Gareth Cooper could work well together at Pontypridd. 

However with things now different perhaps we should say:

Player: Gareth Cooper Current Club: Bath
Possible transfer to: Bridgend/Pontypridd
Investigation findings: A move to Pontypridd was on the cards in the past but with the newco being formed then it is highly likely that having secured a regular place in the Wales team Gareth Cooper will be looking for a move to Wales.

It seems as though the Bridgend Pontypridd region is Coopers favoured option and if he does sign for a Welsh region then it will be this one.

 

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