The All Whites finished 14th overall last season, with only two wins in 15 outings in the second half of the season, and were one off the bottom in their regional league pre-Christmas. Lancaster knows there is need for further improvement this season with only the top 11 of the 16 clubs guaranteed Premiership status for the 2019/20 campaign when the numbers in the top flight will be cut to 12.
Former Cross Keys centre-cum-full-back Nathan Trowbridge is the biggest name signing, joining from the Pandy Park club after a decade of service that included 76 tries in 216 outings. He helped the Gwent side win the National Cup in 2012 and played in the B&I Cup final.
Another ‘old head’ arrives from Llandovery to bolster the front row. Prop Greg Cunniffe has made 114 appearances for Llandovery over the past six seasons and was a cup winner with them in 2016, while back row man Duane Eager also arrives from Church Bank. Eager has regional experience from his time at Llanelli and with the Scarlets and he has also played for the Barbarians.
“It is an important season for us and we felt we needed more depth and more experience. We picked up five losing bonus points last season and we need to turn those narrow defeats into victories,” said Lancaster.
“I don’t think we are a million miles away from where we need to get to. We’ve probably brought in a few more players this summer than we might have done in the past, but we will still be committed to nurturing young talent.
“Two of our players from last season have signed contracts with the Ospreys, Morgan Morris and Jay Williams, and we’ve worked hard on bringing back a lot of Swansea bred players into our squad.”
One of those players returning to his roots is the 22-year-old back row man Callum Bowden, who has spent the past six years at Hartpury College. He helped Hartpury win the BUCS Super League title and move up into National League 1 in the English leagues.
Last season, while he was studying for his Masters degree, he played in National League 2 with Stourbridge. Outside half Josh Hammett, 25, is a veteran of three Welsh Varsity Matches and has arrived at St Helen’s from Llangennech, where he was the Player’s Player of the Year last season.
Gareth Rees was one of the driving forces behind Porthcawl’s magnificent season in 2017/18. The strong running centre helped the Seagulls to win the Division 3 West Central title and reach the WRU National Bowl final at the Principality Stadium.
Teenager Kieran Charles is another new midfield recruit who played six games for Llandovery last season before an ankle injury cut short his season, while Josh Clark has arrived from Treorchy to add to the fire power at hooker and wing Ryan Griffiths will add experience to the back line after three years at Bridgend.
Charlie Davies is a former Wales U18 cap who has battled back from an ACL injury last season that greatly reduced his chances at Neath. He played with Swansea starlets Phil and Will Jones in the Wales U18 side.
“There will be plenty of pressure on all the teams in the league this season with only the top 11 guaranteed to survive. If it then means a play-off with reigning champions Pontypool, or whoever else wins the Championship title, then we’ll be ready for that as well,” said Lancaster.
“With the BBC Wales cameras following the action as well this season it is going to be very exciting, as well as very intense.”
