LOCK Matthew Veater, pictured, is Welsh Premier Division champions Newport's captain for next season.

He was unveiled at the club's meet the players evening at Rodney Parade last night as replacement for the departed Gareth Gravell.

"Gravs is a hard act to follow," said Veater, whose only other experience of leading a side was with Blackwood Youth.

"We have an excellent squad and will do well again. Already the input at training has been better than the start of last season.

"I was surprised to be asked to lead the side, but I'm excited at the challenge and opportunity."

New coach David Rees said: "We have brought in a depth of mainly local young elite players who have played for Wales Under-19s, 21 and Wales Students. Fifty per cent of the quad are under 22 and all but one under 25.

"I'm convinced that with hard work over the next couple of months we can take the title again and get to the cup final as well."

Chairman David Watkins commented: "The problem with being successful is keeping it up, but the only way for this club is forward. The aim is to bring people through to make the side successful year-in, year-out."

Former Wales Under-21s and Ebbw Vale back row forward Paul Williams and former Caerphilly, Cross Keys and Bedwas lock Darren Davies are the two new faces in the Newport Premier Division squad not previously published.

Williams was a fine player for Vale in the old Premier Division but he did not play last season as he was qualifying as a doctor.

Davies had an outstanding season for Bedwas on loan from Caerphilly two seasons ago and has spent time in Australia and is also a more than useful back row performer.

No 8 Richard Dale broke his left foot in training last week and will be out of action until the middle of October.

The other new signings are: centre Gareth Chapman, scrum half James Ireland, hooker Andrew Brown, prop Ian Evans (all from Cross Keys); full back Andrew McLaughlan, lock Neil Edwards (Ebbw Vale); full back Ricky Williams (Llandovery); centre Steve Ireland (Cardiff); prop Gary Mason (Cross Keys); lock Nick Kelly (Celtic Warriors). Retained players: centres Rhys Shorney, Richard Payne; wings Will Kershaw-Naylor, Chris Thomas; outside half Daniel Griffiths; No 8s Rhys Jones, Richard Dale; lock Matthew Veater; flanker: Sam Waldron; props Gethin Robinson, Sven Cronk. Young players under consideration: hooker Lee Meades, centre Phil Dollman, lock Scott Merasco, flanker Andrew Coombes (all ex Newport Youth); centre Ollie Smith (Leeds), scrum half Alex Walker (still Newport Youth). Players released or now with other clubs: Luke Charteris, Rhys Thomas, Sione Tuipulotu, James Richards (now Dragons); Gareth Gravell, Llyr Lane, Craig Richards, Richard Davies (all now Coventry); Scott Williams (Pertemps Bees); Steve Martin (Neath); Chay Billen (Ebbw Vale); Ian George, Gary Horrigan (Cross Keys); Owen Jones (Pontypool); Alex Jerrett (Bath Univ); Wyn Thomas (UWIC); Rob Allen (Swansea Univ); John Evans (retired); James Taylor, Matthew Tucker, Adam Cox, Lee Williams, Jon Woods. There are friendlies at Henley (August 15) and Bristol (August 22) and at home to Newport Saracens (August 26, 7pm).