THE Drovers have strengthened the squad for the 2016-2017 season with the signings of a number of players who will challenge for regular team spots in the Principality Premiership writes Huw S Thomas.
The loss of two players - full back Will Thomas to Rotherham and Matthew Jacobs to Aberavon - has been balanced by the arrival of two quality backs in Jack Evans and Shaun Pearce.
Jack Evans, a former Llandovery College full back and son of former London Welsh captain Jeremy Evans has moved back to Wales from Gloucester whilst Pearce has moved to the Drovers from Llanelli.
There is also very good news for the coaching trio of Euros Evans, Simon Davies and Gareth Potter is that Dragons wing Aaron Warren has made a permanent move to Church Bank.
Ex-Swansea scrum half Scott Gibson has signed from Chinnor and the back row has been strengthened with the arrival of Duane Eager from Llanelli.
Other players likely to challenge for first team spots are Llangennech prop Jamie Hughes, Bonymaen hooker Andrew Pritchard and Crymych product Scott Jenkins.
Outstanding Wales U20 hooker Dafydd Hughes will also be available for the whole season and will be first choice after the loss of last year’s captain and hooker Luke Lewis who is spending a year in the United States.
Former Llandovery prop Andrew Jones is the new Team Manager and gave his thoughts to The Brecon and Radnor on the coming season: "Our prospects and aims are the same as they have been for the last four or five seasons – to develop young players for their future, to be competitive in all competitions and to make Church Bank a difficult place for teams to visit," said the popular Jones, known to one and all by the nickname Cantona.
"We are a small town with a limited rugby budget so a top half finish is a good season but with this squad and the quality of coaches we have our aim must be to get to the playoffs. We also have the small matter of a Welsh cup to defend.
"Our success over the last few seasons has been down to us having a settled squad who have a great team spirit and we are confident of holding our own against everyone after our second place finish in last year’s Premiership.
"Personally I’m not a fan of the new format which means we do not play any two teams twice. I prefer the traditional home and away league structure but now you could have a situation where you only play your nearest rivals only once during the season. That’s really disappointing for the players and fans who love our local derbies with Llanelli and the Quins.
"We have three away games in the first month so that’s tough and two of them against newly promoted teams in Bargoed and RGC. Our first game against Aberavon will be a huge test as I was very impressed by them last season."
In the meantime Llandovery have arranged three warm up games in August before the season starts on September 3.
Tata Steel are the visitors on August 9, there is an away game at Cinderford on August 29 and Newcatle Emlyn are at Church Bank on August 24.
These games are followed by the Foster’s 7s on Sunday 28 August (the Bank Holiday weekend) when Llandovery defend their sevens crown with another squad destined for the Aberaeron 7s on the same day.