PONTYPOOL’S route to the Principality Premiership is open after they were granted an A licence by the Welsh Rugby Union.

If Pooler can claim a third successive WRU National Championship crown then they will earn a play-off against the team that finishes fifth from bottom in the top flight.

The WRU have lifted ring-fencing for a revamped 12-team Premiership in 2019/20 and Pontypool have hit the required standards form promotion for the fifth season on the spin.

The first of those campaigns saw Pooler miss out on promotion after finishing behind Merthyr, Swansea, Bargoed and RGC 1404.

“That Pontypool RFC has again been awarded its A Licence demonstrates the immense commitment that has been made to professionalise the club and turn it into a force of Welsh club rugby once again,” said chief executive Ben Jeffreys.

“Many assumed that the re-introduction of ring-fencing in 2016 would signal a downturn in Pooler’s fortunes, but we saw it as an opportunity to improve our whole operation over a phased period.

“We have seen the results of that hard work over the past two seasons and our success has been no coincidence.

“We fully understand that this is stage one of securing a return to the Principality Premiership and that we must now complete stage two, by continuing to be successful on the field.

“But we have an excellent coaching team, an established squad, a professional medical team and an ever-loyal band of volunteers who, I know will continue to ensure the club remains the pride of Pontypool.

“We are united in the journey we are embarking on and are behind them every step of the way.

“It is now vital that the ‘Pooler Army’ continue to get behind the team as they have done so brilliantly thus far and help drive the club into a successful future.”

Pooler recorded a perfect 22 wins from 22 games last season and have started this campaign with a hat-trick of successes, albeit they were pushed hard by Ystrad Rhondda and Tata Steel before last weekend’s 29-18 win at Beddau.