Super Rygbi Cymru returns this weekend with all three Gwent sides in action following a highly competitive 24/25 season. Last season ended with an all-Gwent final, Newport RFC defeating Ebbw Vale to be crowned champions.
Meanwhile in his first season as head coach, Tom Hancock guided Pontypool RFC to fifth, ultimately losing out to Llandovery in the play-offs.
The new season kicks off on Friday night with the last two winners going head-to-head as Newport welcome 23/24 champions Llandovery to the Newport Stadium with kick-off at 19:45.
As we preview the upcoming SRC where better to start with than the reigning champions?
Newport have bolstered their side with a number of new signings ahead of this season, along with a number of Dragons RFC players who will be getting the privilege to wear the famous Black and Amber kit.
Among those hoping for an opportunity is Dragons Academy backrower Tiehi Chatham who has recently graduated from the U18s programme.
Tiehi, or Tiger as he is known, is a former pupil of Newport High who’s first memory of rugby was tackling someone “into a flagpole” during training with Cwmbran RFC under nines.
Having represented Wales U18s last year, Chatham is now excited at the possibility of donning the Black and Ambers for the first time.
“I’m just really looking forward to it,” said Chatham. “Obviously it’s a privilege putting on the Black and Ambers jersey if I get the opportunity to in the SRC.”
“I've played preseason games, really enjoyed them, so I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season.
“It's been a tough preseason, very long preseason as well, training with Newport and Dragons, but from the overall experience, I feel like I've gained a lot out of it.
“I'm aspiring to play a few SRC games, hopefully get to represent the club, but if not, then I'm fine with it because Newport are a good outstanding club and won the championship last year.
“I’ve just got to make sure that I keep training hard and trying to get myself into that team.”
At Newport, Chatham will continue to work under forwards coach Ceri Jones who was also his coach at Dragons U18s.
“With coaches like Ceri Jones, Tom Hancock, they will help me all over, just to make sure that I get the best start of the season as I can," said Chatham.
“Playing throughout 18s there’re obviously big boys and it was a good experience of playing in different situations, going through pick and go’s, all different aspects of the game.
“I think that's really helped me going into seniors and especially with tackle technique on these like larger full-grown men, it's really helped me get into the senior game.”
Chatham will be joined by the likes of his U18s teammate Cerrig Smith this season as Newport look to go back-to-back following a hugely emotional win last season.
Only time will tell if they can do so, although Friday night’s clash against Llandovery offers a tantalising taste of the season to come.
It’s a privilege putting on the Black and Ambers jersey if I get the opportunity to in the SRC. I've played preseason games, really enjoyed them, so I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season...
