Despite the early end to the Indigo Group Welsh Premiership over the Coronavirus pandemic, contracts are still busy being signed off. Last Word has already reported on 11 of those, but here are two more players on the move.
Ironmen making moves
It’s Merthyr this time who are making the moves, rather than losing players. Their first signing is former Pontypridd outside half Ben Jones.
Jones, who is from Treharris, is set to move up the valley having been announced as leaving Sardis Road earlier this week. It’s likely that Merthyr want to bolster fly half options after losing Rhys Jones in the middle of last season.
Carl Blacker is also leaving Pontypridd as is Sean Moore, who we have reported as moving to Cardiff.
Gareth Thompson
There are also talks of Merthyr wanting Cardiff fly half Gareth Thompson. The 25-year-old has shone for the Blue and Blacks since re-joining them in 2016, scoring nearly 1000 in the process.
He’s been key to their title ambitions and their fluid attack, and will be sorely missed if Merthyr manage to close the deal.
Premiership squad confirmation
Elsewhere in the Premiership, Pontypridd have announced that Joel Raikes, Chris Dicomidis, Dafydd Lockyer and Lloyd Rowlands will all remain with the club.
Ebbw Vale have made the most movement so far, announcing their forward pack throughout the week. They’ll be announcing more new signings in the coming days. Those retained are Joel Harries, Ross Jones, Mikhail Blake, Dave Whiting, Rob Sevenoaks, Joe Franchi, Luke Garrett, Ellis Evans, Dan Hill, Owen and Lewis Young, Dawid Rubasniak, Harry Harding and Corey Talbot.
They’ve also re-signed for title winner Ethan Doyle, who lifted the trophy with the Steelmen in 2016.
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