CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Ebbw Vale have appointed former Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Duane Goodfield as their new forwards coach.

The 28-year-old cut his coaching teeth at Pontyclun after being forced to retire in 2011 because of a shoulder injury and heads to Eugene Cross Park from Beddau.

Goodfield, who played eight times for the Dragons after joining from Cardiff Blues, takes over the reins from Geraint Lewis following his decision to take up a job offer with Premiership champions Pontypridd.

Head coach Jason Strange said: “I'm delighted Duane has decided to join the club. Following the conversations I've had with him I know that he is extremely ambitious and will certainly be joining the club for the right reasons.”

It looks highly likely that Goodfield will be coaching in the Premiership next season – the Steelmen have won all 10 games this season and are already 13 points clear of second-placed Narberth.