Bridgend Ravens 05/06

Full Backs: Mathew Hutchings

Wings: Steve Cullen, Dylon, Richard Radford

Centres: Chris Tossell, Ryan Howells, Leighton Thomas, Robert Coles

Outside-Halves: Gareth David, Mark Roper, Paul Williams, Will Galfant

Scrum-Halves: Nicky Griffiths, Steve John

Props: Gareth Alexander, Lee Manning, Craig Bowsey, Geraint Long, Thomas Hearne

Hookers: Andrew Joy, Ieuan Dobbs

2nd Rows: Mike Powell (Capt), Huw Alford, Chris Hanley, Alex Jones

Back Row: Dean Fitzgerald, Marvin Thomas, Gareth Williams, Jonny Koloi, Andrew Williams, Adam Whitney, Jon Purnell

The exciting young backline has lost several important players including Anthony "Shaggy" Carter to Rotherham, Grant Epton and Neil Dixon have gone back to Maesteg.

At full back Andrew Hutchins has had an impressive pre-season and looks like he can fill that gap.

The Wings Steve Cullen, Dylon and Richard Radford look plenty good enough to score tries at this level.

At centre Bridgend can put claim to having the best combination in the league, at 12 the powerful Chris Tossell will line up and at 13 is last seasons top try scorer and players player of the year Ryan Howells, the rest of the Premiership have been warned!

Gareth David scored a hatful of points last season and has had a great summer with the Bridgend Blue Bulls and is an exciting runner, he is backed up by the experienced Paul Williams and the youthful talent of Will Galfant.

At scrum half the class of Nicky Griffiths and the youth of Steve John will supply good ball to the exciting backline.

Chris Stephens has done a great job of putting a pack together and hopefully we will see some guest appearances from him once again this season – come on the Bird!!!

On the loosehead side of the front row Craig Bowsey has the job of taking over from Phil Booth, from what I’ve seen in the pre-season he is up to the task. Lee Manning & young Tom Hearne will back him up at no.1.

On the tighthead side Gareth Alexander stays on for another year with Geraint "Oz" Long providing the bulk.

At hooker Ieuan Dobbs looks to have come on leaps and bounds and will be assisted by the hopefully now fully fit Andrew Joy.

The 2^nd row and side are led by Mike "Powelly" Powell, at this level he is a huge player and brings the aggression and leadership that the young side need, if Mike does well expect Bridgend to have a good season. Also at lock are Huw Alford who has looked to have gone up a few notches in pre-season, youngsters Chris Hanley and Alex Jones will step in when required.

The back row looks very Strong despite the fact he has gone to Pontypridd!!!!

Fans favourite Andrew "Whizz" Williams returns to Bridgend from Caerphilly and his experience will be vital, Dean Fitzgerald has earned an Ospreys development contract and I expect to see him playing a lot of his rugby as a ball carrying 7 this season. Tongan Jonny Koloi has joined from Whitland and looks a powerful runner, veteran Jon Purnell, young Adam Whitney, Gareth Williams and Marvin Thomas complete the back row line up.

Its been a promising pre-season for Bridgend, if they can gel quickly after losing some key players over the summer then they can achieve the heights of last season. Off the field the new committee are bringing the club back to the community and with Maesteg and the Celtic Crusaders around rugby of all sorts is on the way back in the borough.

Prediction: 4th