Lockyer and Shellard lead Ponty into new season

Centre Dafydd Lockyer will lead Pontypridd into the new season as club captain with another senior player, flanker Rhys Shellard backing him up as vice-captain.

The two players between them have amassed well over 600 appearances for Ponty over the past sixteen years and offer a wealth of experience on the field, as well as being big characters off the field capable of galvanising the younger squad members around them.

Dafydd Lockyer has been with Ponty since the commencement of the semi-pro era back in 2003, apart from a brief departure to Neath, and is now into his fifth season as club captain. Rhys Shellard also has great leadership credentials, having previously captained Wales under 21s and Wales Sevens.

Celebrating his nomination as captain, Dafydd Lockyer commented:

“I was chuffed to be asked to take on the role again this season, which realistically could be my last at senior level. I aim to play as much as I can and to go out on a high, leading the team to win some honours, which is long overdue. We have a strong squad coming together and will definitely be up for the challenge.

“To have Shelly as vice-captain will be good for me – we’ve been playing together since the age of fourteen and are great friends off the field. He’s a top class player and can be relied upon to lead from the front at all times.”