THE FIXTURE lists for the Principality Premiership and Swalec Championship were released last week and the latter was more eye-catching.

That is not to say that the top flight of Welsh club rugby is not interesting – and it will be fascinating to see if Pontypridd can retain their place at the top of the tree or whether the cyclical nature of sport will see them go the way of previous top dogs Neath – but the scramble below is shaping up to be a corker.

There's a huge prize for four teams who if they get it right will be in the Premiership in 2016 and the next few years of Pontypool's future will be shaped by the first month or so of the campaign.

They open up with a tricky trip to Narberth, then host fellow promotion hopefuls Swansea, then travel to Gwent rivals Newbridge, then host champions Bargoed and then head to big-spending Merthyr.

The Premiership will provide many wonderful tales in 2015/16 – it always does – but the rung below is shaping up to be thrilling all the way through to April.

CLUB rugby is a vital testing ground for Newport Gwent Dragons academy youngsters and there was more good news this week with the announcement of six fresh contracts.

Back row forward Harri Keddie, props Leon Brown and Keagan Bale, centre/wing Barney Nightingale, wing Lloyd Lewis and fly-half Arwel Robson have been given senior deals through to 2019.

The sextet are highly unlikely to feature for Lyn Jones' Dragons this term – 18-year-old Nightingale may add to his five replacement appearances while 19-year-old Keddie may make a cameo if he continues to impress – but they are further evidence of the academy really starting to crank into gear.

They are attempting to make the next step and join a senior squad that already features Hallam Amos (20), Jack Dixon (20), Elliot Dee (21) and Tyler Morgan (19) as key figures.

Behind them James Benjamin (21) impressed in the back row last season and is sure to be joined by quality openside Ollie Griffiths (20) while loosehead Luke Garrett (20), tighthead Alex Jeffries (20) and lock Joe Davies (19) will be more prominent in the coming campaign.

If they continue to learn off the seasoned pros then the signs are promising at Rodney Parade.