HEAD coach Louie Tonkin has left Pontypool as their Principality Premiership promotion hopes hang by a thread.

Pooler will miss out on the top flight and be condemned to at least four seasons in the Swalec Championship if RGC 1404 avoid an upset at Glynneath.

Tonkin joined the club from Carmarthen Quins last year with the target of leading them back into the revamped 16-strong top flight.

However, Pooler have finished behind champions Merthyr, Swansea and Bargoed and are likely to drop beneath the north Walians on Saturday.

A club statement said Tonkin leaves "after reaching a mutual agreement with the club’s management to pursue other opportunities".

“I am saddened that my time with Pontypool has come to an end but I have massively enjoyed the experience of representing such a proud and storied club,” said Tonkin, who also coaches the Cardiff University rugby team.

“I would like to thank everybody at Pontypool RFC, particularly the Jeffreys family for providing me with this opportunity.

“The players, staff and supporters have also been exceptional and I am massively grateful for their dedication throughout the entirety of the season.

“I am convinced that Pontypool RFC will achieve its goal of bringing Principality Premiership rugby back to Pontypool Park and I wish the club every success in the future."

Pooler are set to announce Tonkin’s successor tomorrow and chief executive Ben Jeffreys says they will reap the rewards of his hard work.

“We started the season with the objective of earning promotion to the Principality Premiership and whilst achieving that goal is now out of our hands, the structures Louie leaves behind will ensure that the club loses no momentum in making preparations for next season,” said Jeffreys.

“Louie remains a friend to everybody at Pontypool RFC and we wish him every success in his future career aspirations.”

The Premiership is ring-fenced for three seasons meaning the earlier Pooler can head up to the top flight is 2020.

However, owner Peter Jeffreys committed his future to the club before their costly defeat to RGC 1404 a fortnight ago.

“I have supported the club since I was a child and I have seen first hand just how much the club means to people in the area,” said the chairman last month.

“It has truly been an honour to have had the opportunity to work alongside our supporters and volunteers as a collective to take the club forward.

“It would be a dream come true to take Pooler back to the Principality Premiership but either way, we are having such an enjoyable time being involved and we want to continue that next season.”