The former Scarlets second row stalwart played in the 2002 and 2003 WRU Challenge Cup finals at the Millennium Stadium and is now one step away from a return as a coach with his home village side.
Cooper has made a massive impact on the club since his return and they are chasing a league and cup double having spent the past 18 months undefeated. Standing in their way this weekend in the Swalec Bowl semi-final at Taffs Well is Ynysddu.
With 16 straight wins in Division 3 West, Ystradgynlais are pushing Morriston all the way in the title race with players such as the former Swansea outside half Ricky Williams, ex-Llanelli and Neath wing Bowdy Davies and scrum-half Ryan Jones adding vital big match experience.
Cooper’s men warmed-up for their cup semi-final with a 10 try romp against Alltwen last weekend with Emyr Lawrence and Mathew Edwards both crossing twice. Edwards also added eight conversions for a match haul of 26 points.
The side also managed to break their record for the most tries scored in a league season. The previous record was 107 in the 2007/08 campaign, while they moved to 108 with four games to go after beating Alltwen 66-12.
It promises to be a big weekend for the Swansea Valley club, who have one team from the club heading to the Millennium Stadium for the Welsh Youth Cup Finals weekend. The Ystrad Youth XV face Wattstown Youth in the final of the Wales Youth Bowl on Saturday morning (kick-off 11am) and there will be two bus loads of supporters following their game before heading to Taffs Well.
Ynysddu currently lie in second place in Division 3 East A, nine points behind Caerleon with four games left to play. Another side from that division, Oakdale, will meet Cambrian Welfare in the other Bowl semi-final at Nelson.
Oakdale, who have already beaten Ynysddu once this season, beat Nantyffyllon at home in the quarter-finals to reach the final four.
