Pontypridd RFC 05/06
By Zippy
August 30 2005
Preview of the Ponty squad for the season 2005/06, Ponty will be looking to build on last seasons league position and again look for an impressive cup run.
Details of the story taken from:
A week before the first Premiership game of the new campaign kicks off, the Pontypridd RFC senior squad for the 2005 / 2006 season has been formalised, and now announced.
A pool of thirty-six players has been named, which comprise of the thirty-two registered players for the premiership with Pontypridd, and the allowed quota of additional Academy and Blues regional players. Two of the squad, in centre Tom Riley and flanker Wayne O'Connor, are long term injury absentees, and will be formally registered closer to the January deadline set by the WRU.
The Pontypridd RFC squad for the coming season is named as follows:
- Captain & Lock: Dale McIntosh.
Probably the "Chiefs" final hurrah, he’ll be determined to lead the youngsters well and finish with the kind of form he showed at times last season.
- Full Backs: Morgan Stoddart; Jason Pocock.
2 proven players at Premiership level and both will want to secure the full back shirt.
- Full Back / Centre: Lloyd Warner.
Useful utility player who should get quite a lot of game time.
- Wingers: Daniel Hitchings; Darren Berry; Matthew Nuthall; Chris Clayton.
4 wingers who will score tries at this level, should offset the loss of Fussell.
- Centres: Dafydd Lockyer; Paul Matthews; Gavin Dacey; Tom Riley*; Andy Parkinson.
The experience of Paul Matthews will be vital alongside Lockyer, Riley is injured for several months and youngsters Dacey and Parkinson will need to step up to the mark.
- Outside Halves: Dai Flanagan*; Richard Langmead.
The promising Dai Flanagan will be first choice, he may be required by the Blues and when he is Langmead is more than adequate back up.
- Scrum Halves: Gareth Jones; Tom Dickens; Wayne Evans*.
Paul John has retired after a great career and these 3 youngsters will scrap it out for the jersey, they have much to live up to.
- Loose Head Props: Scott Roberts*; Gerald Cox; Stuart Williams.
3 young props and Cox and Roberts have experience beyond their years.
- Hookers: Duane Goodfield*; Ben Phillips; Leighton Davies.
Goodfield is destined for bigger things but whilst he is available for Ponty its good for them. Ben Phillips offers quality back up.
- Tight Head Props: Ryan Harford; Ian Poley.
The bald headed Harford is easy to spot and at almost 20st has all the physical attributes to go forward.
- Locks: Chris Martenko; Sam Wahdan; Grant Harrington.
These 3 players are all very talented young locks and there is an argument that over which one will partner McIntosh, I don’t know!
- Locks / Flankers: Chris Dicomidis; Danny Hodge. Lee Evans.
Young utility back 5 forwards.
- No 8s: Nathan Strong; Adam Powell.
Strong represents the big close season signing from Bridgend and has enough class to be one of the top players in the Welsh Prem.
- Openside Flankers: Rhys Shellard*; Wayne O'Connor.
The promise of Shellard vs the experience of O’Connor, both players should excel at this level.