PONTYPOOL have set up tricky trips to Principality Premiership sides Aberavon and Neath in preparation for the defence of their WRU National Championship crown, writes Chris Kirwan.

After enjoying a perfect 22 wins from 22 games in 2017/18, Pooler need to win a third title on the spin in their aim to return to the top flight.

Pooler will tune-up for the campaign by first locking horns with Torfaen friends Talywain, who are in Division Two East, on Saturday, August 11 (kick-off 2.30pm).

Leighton Jones’ squad will also be calling Emlyn Park home throughout pre-season while improvements are made to the Pontypool Park pitch.

They then travel to the Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday, August 18 and the Gnoll on Saturday, August 25 (both kick-offs 2.30pm).

Head coach Jones hopes that a challenging August will be perfect preparation for their Premiership promotion push, with Pooler bidding to be part of the revamped 12-team top flight in 2019/20.

“We have geared our pre-season schedule to be deliberately tough as we want to make a quick and productive start to the season ahead,” said the former hooker, whose side have taken the Premiership scalps of Llanelli, Cardiff and Carmethen Quins in recent WRU National Cup wins.

“These fixtures will present many challenges and it is vital that we are right up to speed ahead of the most important season for the club since the 2015/16 campaign.

“We are particularly looking forward to travelling to Talywain and they are a club that we enjoy a close and mutually beneficial relationship with.

“They have a squad packed with talent and we look forward to a competitive fixture against them at Emlyn Park.”