Title winner Robinson returns to bolster Ebbw's coaching team

The 37-year-old former prop won the league with Newport in 2003 and made 246 appearances over 12 campaigns for the Black and Ambers before heading for Eugene Cross Park in 2014 and helping win the title two years later.

He is joining Greg Woods' team as skills coach with added strength and conditioning duties while another addition to the management team comes in performance coach Ed Bruce.

The police officer has previously worked with Sale Sharks and England in rugby and Blackpool and Rotherham in football.

The duo join the existing set-up of head coach Woods, attack coach Lewis Roberts and team manager Darren Venn.

"I'm really excited and honoured to be back involved with the Steelmen," said Robinson, who played 47 times for the Dragons.

"I had a great time in my three years at the club as a player, reigniting my love for the game and lifting the Premiership trophy.

"I'm really up for the challenge of helping Greg, Lewis and Jon (Jones, chairman) get the club back to competing for the top spot in the Premiership, while developing myself in a coaching role.

"There are quality players at the club and my ambition will be to help them achieve their aims both as individual players and as a squad."

Bruce said: "I am really excited to join the club and try and help the team progress and compete at the top of the Premiership table.

"Ebbw Vale is a big club with a big following, a good squad and enthusiastic coaches so it should be an exciting time once rugby returns."

The new duo will help the Steelmen try to make gains off the field with the club aiming to help players that are on the up.

"I am really pleased to see the resources we are putting in place by bringing in Gethin and Ed, the improvement of the gym and the players' room to help with preparation and analysis," said Woods.

"This shows our determination to improve players and provide a learning and growing environment for any aspirational player.

"The Premiership is a tough environment with no easy games and I can't wait to start working hard with the squad".

Ebbw had a tough campaign after a summer of change but had turned thing around since the turn of the year to put themselves in a strong position in their relegation duel with Bridgend.

The coronavirus pandemic led to the Welsh Rugby Union cancelling the season but chairman Jones is hopeful of a stronger 2020/21 thanks to giving the existing coaches a helping hand.

"TheIr desire to stay, and the manner in which both Greg and Lewis dealt with issues at the club, gives me 100 per cent confidence that our playing future is in safe hands," said Jones.

"Greg, as one of the longest serving coaches in the Premiership, brings a great deal of experience which he puts to full use in ensuring competitive teams take to the field.

"As chairman, I have also recognised that there had been an enormous workload for the coaches last year so, over the last six weeks, we have added to the coaching group."