Teenage hooker Tarrant played on permit at Sardis Road last season while in the Blues Academy, but his switch will be a permanent one for the 2017/18 campaign. Back row man Morgan Sieniawski joins him in the switch from the capital city.
Both players graduated from Coleg y Cymoedd and Sieniawski made 26 appearances for Cardiff in the Principality Premiership over the past two seasons. He also made two appearances in the Anglo-Welsh Cup for the Blues last season.
“I grew up supporting Pontypridd and also playing for them at various age groups and it has been my ambition since a kid to be able to represent the club at senior level. I’ve always looked up to the more experienced players at Ponty and it will be a great honour now to join them as a squad member,” said Tarrant, who learned his rugby at Porth Harlequins.
“The Premiership offers a good level of rugby and I look forward to helping Pontypridd challenge for league and cup honours next season.”
The 20-year-old Sieniawski is currently recovering from a minor knee operation, but is on track to be fully fit for the start of the new season. Ponty will be warming up for the new-look Premiership campaign with three friendlies.
They kick-off at Abercwmboi on Saturday, 12 August, with a testimonial game for Dafydd Lockyer and then host Clifton a week later. Their biggest test will come a week later, on Saturday, 26 August, when they entertain last season’s Division 1 champions in England, Hartpury College.
Lockyer is on course to return to ply t the start of the season after overcoming injury. Also on the mend are full back Geraint Walsh, wing Alex Webber, props Connor Lewis and Callum Lewis and back rower Owen Sheppeard. Lock Lee Evans is also expected to be up and running within a fortnight, but Jake Thomas is facing two-month lay-off after knee surgery.
Prop Chris Phillips has rejoined the cub after helping to steer Rhydyfelin into the WRU National Championship last season by winning the Division 1 East title and seeing off Treorchy in the promotion play-offs.
Phillips made 127 appearances for Ponty between 2010-16 and is equally t home on either side of the front row. He also has a big reputation for his work in the loose.
“Having Chris back with us is a significant boost for the squad. He brings a wealth of experience at Premiership level and will add physicality to our front row,” said Pontypridd team manager, Dan Godfrey.
“Chris is currently working hard on his fitness along with the rest of the squad. He is a strong set piece player and an effective ball carrier in the loose. He is also young for a prop and will have much to offer Pontypridd over the coming seasons.”
While outside halves Callum Hall and Lewis K Williams have moved on, Burnell and Godfrey will be delighted to have recruited on a permanent basis the former Cardiff No 10 Diggy Bird.
The 25-year-old scored 137 point in 20 outings for the Blue & Blacks over the past two seasons.
A former Wales Under 16 cap, he first played for Llanelli before representing the University of Queensland in Australia then with Hong Kong Scottish when he went travelling. He then had two seasons with his home town club.
“Having played against Ponty for other clubs I know of the passion generated by their supporters. It will be great to turn out for a team with such a big following and with an ambition to win trophies,” said Bird.
