SUPER Rygbi Cymru got under way on Thursday night and the Gwent trio Newport, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool are all aiming to be contenders for the title.

Pooler got the campaign under way against Llandovery and gave the champions a scare when beaten 21-18.

The Black and Ambers and Steelmen, runners-up and semi-finalists last season, will hunt home victories this weekend against Bridgend and Aberavon.

Clubs are playing for placings in the new 10-team competition; all teams progress to the post-season finals but the top six avoid the wildcard round.

There will then be quarter-finals and semis based on seedings before the grand final - now at a neutral venue - on May 17.

There will be some top talent on show, but who do the Gwent teams believe we should be keeping an eye on from their rivals in the Dragons region?

NEWPORT

The Black and Ambers have developed an expansive approach under Ty Morris and they were the top try scorers in the Premiership last season, crossing 122 times in 24 fixtures.

The pack showed the ability to grind it out in testing conditions but it’s no surprise that their Gwent rivals pick two of their speedsters as ones to watch.

Pontypool’s back rower and defence coach Scott Matthews knows all about the talent of Wales sevens international Lloyd Lewis having played alongside him for Pooler.

“You can’t buy speed and I admire the way that he plays,” said Matthews about the winger. “He has scored some wonder tries through the years and can really turn it on.

“I stick close to the rucks when I play Newport because you don’t want to be chasing out wide and in a foot race with him!”

The same applies for David Richards, who has signed to stay with the Black and Ambers after being released by the Dragons.

“I really like Richards, he is a very good player,” said Ebbw Vale head coach Jason Strange. “I always look for how well a player moves and he is a good athlete.

“He is certainly someone who can play at a higher level again, you are always respectful of him when playing Newport because he has that X-factor.

EBBW VALE

The Steelmen finished third in the table last season but were hammered by Newport in the semi-finals.

They have a strong pack and influential half-backs but centre Ethan Phillips was their top try scorer and swept the board in their club awards.

“Evan Lloyd is a player that you have to target because he is a great playmaker and is confident,” said Matthews.

“Another one who had a great season was Ethan Phillips, who really backs himself. He is an excellent player – strong, quick, aggressive and he has a good peg on him as well.”

Fly-half Lloyd, who came through the Dragons academy, gets the nod of approval from Newport head coach Ty Morris.

“For Ebbw Vale it has to be Evan Lloyd, you need keep an eye on him because he kicks points but also understands the game really well,” said Morris. “If he can get the Ebbw pack going forward then they are a dangerous side.”

PONTYPOOL

Pooler were beaten by the Drovers on Thursday night but there were signs of encouragement as they look to expand their game.

Some new talent is coming through but one of the old guard who is always a pain in the backside for opponents gets the thumbs-up from Newport and Ebbw.

“They have a number of exciting young Dragons players who can really tear things up but you can’t look further than Scott Matthews,” said Morris.

“His stats are phenomenal with tackles, jackals, collisions. He is a key player and is old school, always in the thick of it as part of a good back row.”

“You know that whenever you play Pontypool, the breakdown will be a battle because of him,” said Strange.

“No matter how you want to play he will find a way of disrupting and spoiling things because he is so good in that area. He’s a leader as well, someone who inspires Pontypool just as he did for Cross Keys.”