As the 2016-17 season disappears into the rear-view mirror, clubs have begun to look ahead to the summer and make moves to strengthen their ranks.
Bedwas, hoping to go one better in next season’s Principality Premiership having fallen at the semi-final stage to Aberavon, have announced that Wales Sevens back, Steffan Jones, will be joining the club.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Caerphilly, will provide a versatile option for the Bridge Field outfit, having featured at fly-half, centre, and full-back in the past.
The former Bargoed, Penallta and Cardiff player knows his way around the Premiership and still holds the club record at Cross Keys for most points scored in a season.
Jones made his debut for Newport Gwent Dragons in April 2011, marking the occasion with a try against Cardiff Blues in the Magners League, and scored 203 points in 39 appearances for the region.
In 2014 he was called up to the Wales Sevens squad, appearing in tournaments in Dubai and South Africa.
Jones moved to English Championship side Bedford Blues in 2015, before featuring 30 times for Ampthill RFC last season.
He said: “I’m delighted to have signed for Bedwas RFC and my move back to Wales, having being playing in England over the last three years. I’m looking forward to joining up with the team over the preseason period and getting stuck in.”
Mark Lewis, Bedwas RFC Director of Rugby, added: “It is very beneficial for squad planning to secure a quality signing so soon after the end of the season. We have built a respected, ambitious and successful group here and Steffan will be a big part of our progression.”
Meanwhile, fellow Premiership side Bargoed have recruited no less than nine reinforcements as they look to make strides in the league after a second from bottom finish in Tier Two.
Joining the Bulls are:
• John Armitage, 28 – A back-rower signed from Nelson, Armitage has already represented Bargoed in Fosters Challenge Cup.
• Iain Smerdon, 26 – Previously featuring for Ebbw Vale, the fly-half has been picked up from Bedlinog.
• Chris Davies, 26 – Already played for the Bulls during the Fosters Cup, Davies was featuring at 10 for Oakdale.
• Matthew Lewis, 18 – A product of Nelson RFC, the young full-back joins permanently from the Dragons academy.
• Ieuan Jones, 24 – The Bargoed academy No.8 returns to the Bulls from Cross Keys having had spells at the Dragons, Blues and Ospreys.
• Jordan Howells, 22 – A former Premiership Player of the Month at Ebbw Vale, the centre joins from Newbridge, and represented Bargoed at the National Sevens.
• Geraint Clarke, 24 – The accomplished hooker has been signed from Nelson, despite being courted by several other Premiership sides.
• Liam Matthews, 25 – Formerly of Bargoed Youth, signs from Aberbargoed to increase the strength on the wings.
• Matthew Thomas, 25 – Played 130 games for Pontypool in the second row, and has also represented the Crawshays invitational team.
Bargoed’s David Evans claimed the Principality Premiership’s Try of the Season for his effort against Neath on Saturday April 15. The winger won after receiving the most votes from fans at the league’s end-of-season award ceremony on Thursday June 8.
WRU Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John said, “The Principality Premiership is a vital competition for the development of our players, coaches and referees.
“The majority of our Wales U20 squad, currently competing at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, play most of their rugby in the Principality Premiership, along with the British & Irish Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup, so it’s important they have this level of regular, competitive rugby in order to cut their teeth in the senior game.”