Player departures
The curtain has come down on the 2022/23 season and the process of reshaping the squad for the new campaign has already begun. As a result, Pontypridd RFC can confirm that eight players connected to the Club in various guises have departed ahead of the 2023/24 season. The players leaving are as follows –
Lloyd Rowlands joined Ponty in the summer of 2017 and made a significant impact in his first season with the Club. A powerful attacker from the full back or wing position, he quickly became a big hit with the Ponty supporters. Having taken time out from the game as a result of concussion injuries, Lloyd made a welcome return to the Ponty ranks in readiness for the 2019-20 season which in the end was curtailed by the Covid-pandemic. Lloyd has been unfortunate with injuries during his time at Sardis Road and with a bit more luck would have undoubtedly added to his 54 appearances for the Club.
Tommy Morgan signed for the club from Bridgend Ravens for the 2022/23 season. He had previously played for Cardiff Met RFC and has representative honours with England Schools U18’s and Wales Students. Tommy made 23 appearances during last season and unfortunately sustained a leg injury in his final game on the final day of the season – we’d like to wish him well with his recovery.
Jordan Howells joined Ponty from Bargoed RFC in the 2022 close-season. He had prior Welsh Premiership experience with Ebbw Vale and won the Welsh Premiership with The Steelmen in 2016. Jordan’s international honours include Wales Rugby League U16’s, U18’s and ‘A’ team along with The Crawshays representative side. He made 21 appearances for Pontypridd.
Aberdare product Garyn Payne was nurtured through junior and youth levels by his hometown club and his physical midfield presence gave him a growing reputation. He gained Premiership experience with Aberavon RFC before joining up with Pontypridd in the summer of 2021 whilst being linked with hometown club Aberdare. Garyn made 18 appearances during his two seasons with Pontypridd RFC.
Capped by Wales U19’s Ieuan Morris joined Pontypridd ahead of the 2021/22 season and enjoyed a successful campaign, a highlight arguably being his brace of tries during the team’s 40-38 win over RGC in October 2021. Unfortunately for Ieuan a serious knee injury sustained playing in the Sardis 7’s tournament in the summer of 2022 meant any involvement in the last campaign was wiped out. Ieuan made 16 appearances for Pontypridd.
Sam Evans progressed through the ranks of his local club Abercwmboi RFC, being drafted into the Cardiff Rugby regional age-grade system as a youngster. Earning a reputation as a dynamic back rower, Sam was invited to train with Pontypridd and then to join the senior squad in the summer of 2021. He made 8 appearances for Pontypridd whilst being linked to his local club Abercwmboi.
Flanker Daniel Phillips joined up with Pontypridd RFC after impressing on trial in the summer of 2022. Daniel was linked to Pontypridd RFC on permit from his local club Mountain Ash RFC and made 2 appearances – both coming away from Sardis Road at Carmarthen Quins and RGC.
A native of Rhydyfelin, winger Chad Davies started playing for Rhyd as a young boy before making the move to Pontypridd Mini & Juniors where he played until U16’s. Chad returned to Rhydyfelin to play both youth and senior rugby before transferring to Glynneath RFC for the 2021/22 season. After impressing on trial in the summer of 2022, he then linked up with Pontypridd ready for the 2022/23 season and made 1 appearance during the campaign just gone.
Pontypridd RFC would like to thank all eight players for their efforts during their time with the Club and would like to wish them well for the future.
We’ll have further squad news for our supporters in the near future, watch this space…
