NEWPORT Rugby Club have named the first batch of players to represent them in next season's new semi-professional division - and have revealed that Darryl Jones will be their coach.

The players are headed up by hooker James Richards, who made 28 senior appearances last season, wing Alex Cadwallader with 21 and lock Matthew Veater with 19.

Wales A wing Ben Breeze, who missed most of the season with a serious ankle injury, is also in the squad as are scrum half Llyr Lane and back row pair Gareth Gravell and Rhys Jones.

Joining the initial list of eight is a promising youngster, number eight Richard Dale, whose father Jim is a former Newport prop.

Richard, still only 19, played for Wales Under-19s in the FIRA competition and won Newport's most promising under-21 player award as well as an award for the under- 19 player most likely to succeed in rugby.

A number of other players are set to join Newport while some of last season's successful under-21 side will also play.

"We have compiled an exciting squad of players which is a combination of youth and experience, along with bigger named players who are familiar to our supporters," said Newport director Will Godfrey.

"The Newport team will play in the recognisable black and amber hoops at the traditional home of Newport rugby, Rodney Parade."

Darryl Jones has an impressive record in the game, particularly at the various under-21 levels where he has brought a number of youngsters through to the top.

He has coached at Neath and Bristol, where he took a number of young Welsh players who then followed him back across the Severn Bridge when he joined Newport three years ago.

He has been director of development at Newport, but now reverts to a coaching role.

The club plan to unveil their season ticket packages covering the 15 home premier league games next season within a week.