NEWPORT have retained more talent for next season’s Premiership campaign.

The Black and Ambers have agreed new deals with centre Jack Wright, scrum-half Geraint Watkin, openside Kyle Tayler and lock/flanker Rhodri Jones.

Locks Joe Bartlett, Elliott Ferriman, Andrew Mann, Dan Partridge will also return to tussle for starts in the boilerhouse.

Wright was limited to a solitary appearance last season because of injury but the strong-running centre will be keen to make the 12 jersey his own.

Watkin has been a firm fixture in the matchday squad since arriving in 2018, making 20 outings in his first season and 14 in the abruptly-ended 2019/20.

Tayler has established himself as one of the league’s best flankers since arriving from Newbridge, causing opponents plenty of pain at the breakdown, and should become a Newport centurion next year.

Jones is in his third spell with the Black and Ambers and the 30-year-old’s versatility will be a boost for head coach Ty Morris.

Bartlett will enter a fourth campaign at Rodney Parade and missed a solitary game last season to take his tally of appearances to 66.

Mann went one better, featuring in every game of 2019/20 whether as a lock, flanker or making an impact off the bench.

Partridge, who joined from Cardiff in 2014, will bring up his Newport century next time he pulls on the jersey Ferriman is yet to make his club debut after suffering a serious knee injury last summer but is now back to full fitness.

- Newbridge captain Stuart Vokes has been followed in re-signing for the club by a quartet of fellow front rowers.

Christopher Davies, Jordan Reames-Williams, Michael Kavanagh, and Gareth Young have committed to the Welfare Ground club, who were running away with Division One East before the season was cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.