PROMOTION-chasing Pontypool have strengthened their squad with the signing of hooker Darren Hughes, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 28-year-old moved to Neath from Cross Keys last summer but has left the Gnoll because of the famous club's financial worries.

Hughes was a leading figure at the heart of the front row at Pandy Park for five seasons after previously playing for his hometown club of Tredegar and Newbridge.

His exploits earned selection for the Dragons Premiership Select XV while he also combined his rugby with boxing in 2015 when he won the super heavyweight division of the Welsh Elite Championships.

Now Hughes will add punch to a Pooler side that sit on top of the WRU National Championship with the reward for a third title on the spin being a promotion/relegation play-off against the side that finishes fifth-from-bottom in the Premiership.

"I'm well aware of the quality the club already possesses in my position and I will have to work extremely hard to earn a place in the team," said the front rower, who will compete with Lewis Ball, Ben Parry and Alex Watkins.

"It will probably sound cliched but competition for places only improves you as a player and I can't wait to get started.

"I'm really excited to be joining Pontypool and I'm looking forward to linking up with some old team-mates from my days at Cross Keys.

"The challenge of hopefully taking this great club back to the Premiership is one I couldn't turn down and I'm determined to do all I can to ensure this happens."

Head coach Leighton Jones is pleased to have added depth to his pack ahead of the return to league action against second-placed Cardiff Met on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm).

He said: "Darren is a proven Premiership performer and his arrival is a real boost for us. We already have a formidable set of forwards and Darren reinforces that.

"As I know from my playing days, the front row is a physically demanding place to play your rugby.

"We need strength in depth and options in that area and Darren's arrival will ensure that everybody remains fresh throughout this vitally important season."