A MINIATURE version of the Pontypool Front Row is alive and kicking after loose head prop Neil Giles became a father to Calan Edward on Boxing Day.

Calan joins William Jones, Leighton's son, and tight head prop Nicky Blake's son, Jac, to complete a baby-sized front row.

Neil said: "I hope all three of them will grow up to be in the front row. In fact most of the squad have baby boys so perhaps they will all be in the team of the future. There must be something in the water at the club.

"I want to get Calan training as soon as he can pick up a ball. I can't wait to watch him play although he may end up being in the back row as he has long thin legs like his mum.

The club's strength during its 1970s glory days was its forwards, particularly the legendary "Pontypool Front Row", once celebrated in song by Max Boyce.

Current skipper Jones said: "Hopefully our boys will be better players than us. William already has his own shirt with his name on the back.

"William doesn't ever miss a game. He loves it. It's the only thing which stops him crying.

The Pontypool Front Row, also known as the "Viet Gwent", (motto "We may go down; we may go up; but we never go back") was made up of Graham Price, Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner and played as a unit 19 times for Wales, only finishing on the losing side four times.

They also played as a unit for the British and Irish Lions in several midweek matches, though never in a test.

Nicky said: "It's great when all of the mums are watching on the sidelines with the little ones. They're like a big group of rugby WAGS.

"It will be good to watch all of the boys grow up and play rugby together. I would never force my son to play rugby but hopefully it will be in his genes.