PONTYPOOL Rugby Club have made a major step towards completing their squad for next season with the signing of ten new players.

Injuries to now retired Nicky Lloyd and Gareth Jenkins gave them major headaches at scrum half last season and they have acted to ensure that doesn't happen again.

They have signed Owen Jones from Newport and Rhodri Jones from Cross Keys and with a fit-again Jenkins plus Steve Harris, will be well off in that department.

Owen Jones is a gritty little player who played second fiddle to Llyr Lane at Premier Division champions Newport last season, having previously played for Blackwood and having a season in New Zealand to further his rugby education.

He also impressed Pontypool in one outing on permit for them last season against Cardiff. Rhodri Jones also had little chance behind James Ireland at Cross Keys last season and was unlucky to break a leg.

Stuart Kenny, a signing from the Gloucester Academy, can also play at scrum half but is useful in the centre.

Pontypool have also moved to strengthen their second row by signing promising youngsters Matthew Amos from Pill Harriers and Owen Reynolds from Cwmbran.

And to emphasise their determination to rebuild with the emphasis on youth, they have signed five players from Pontypool and Utd. Youth.

Outside half Sam Mills created a tremendous impression on permit last season and has been snapped up in the hope he could be a long term ace.

Also signed are Wales Youth international wing Craig Jones, last season's youth skipper and flanker Lloyd Burns, back row forward Jacob Nash and prop Ian Davies.

"There are a couple more signings in the pipeline," said club secretary Colin Tuckwell, "and a large number of last season's squad have also now re-signed.

"We are building a young, exciting squad with the emphasis on local talent and hope to be able to build further."

The club have signed a new shirt deal with the Ponty-pool Free Press and have already picked up two awards.

They were named the Worthington team of the month for March and Jonathan Williams was named Worthington player of the month.