The Ponty Dragons
There are four players having previously represented Pontypridd in the Premiership, who are included in the Wales squad which has prepared to face Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations finale today.
Flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes (above) deservedly claims the headlines, selected for his senior international debut. Prop Dillon Lewis and lock Cory Hill are on the bench, with another lock, Seb Davies in the extended squad.
Ferndale product Shane Lewis-Hughes made 8 appearances for Ponty in 2017, having graduated from the rugby nurseries of Rhondda Schools and Coleg y Cymoedd to the Blues Academy. In his brief time at Sardis Road Shane exhibited an ability and an attitude that destined him for greater things. Another regional product, Seb Davies totalled 22 appearances for the club in a two year stint from 2014.
Lock Cory Hill and prop Dillon Lewis are both Ponty boys through and through, having followed a similar rugby development path, representing their home town club at junior level, Lewis also at youth level, before progressing to the regional ranks whilst maintaining their Ponty links as drafted academy players.
Hill made his Ponty debut at the end of the 2009-10 season and featured prominently over the next three campaigns, going on to total 57 senior appearances. His career then took him to England, representing Moseley in the Championship before joining the Dragons and eventually making a return to Cardiff Blues.
Dillon Lewis was a Ponty Youth player whilst progressing through the regional age grade squads. He made his senior club debut against Newport in April 2014 and went on to play on 23 occasions for his hometown club.
Pontypridd RFC can be proud of the four young dragons currently claiming their place in the senior national squad, who have a tinge of black and white edged into their red shirts of Wales.