New head coach Justin Burnell has invited Dafydd Locker to continue as captain for a fourth successive season and the centre will have Cypriot international and former Cardiff Blues lock Chris Dicomidis as his vice-captain.
Dicomidis led Ponty between 2011-13, while Lockyer took over as captain in 2014. Having made his debut for the club in the 2003/04 campaign Lockyer, the 32-year-old former Wales Under 21 cap, is currently enjoying a testimonial season.
“I’m chuffed to be given this responsibility, to lead the Ponty team into another campaign and it’s good to have Dico in place as my deputy. He’s a former captain himself and a leader on the field, the right man to step in and take my place when needed,” said Lockyer.
“There’s a sense of a fresh start at the club with a new coaching set-up and new players coming in, and some of the familiar regional players coming back to us. We will definitely be looking to step up and challenge strongly for honours.”
Ponty have also bolstered their front row options with the signing of two highly promising tight head props in Will Davies-King and Keelan Marney. Both made a number of permit appearances last season, but have now joined the club on a full-time basis.
Davies-King, who hails from Chepstow, is a 19-year-old student currently studying at Cardiff Met University. At 6ft 4in tall, and weighing in at more than 20 stones, he offers a significant physical presence. Marney, from Seven Sisters, learned his rugby at Glynneath.
“These boys have huge potential and are the kind of young talent that we are keen to draft into our squad. They are not yet the finished article but are work in progress, and have the ability to step up to Premiership level and make their mark,” said Burnell.
