BEDWAS will be captained by Phill Rees next season and have expressed their anger at big-spending Merthyr attempting to lure away their skipper despite him being under contract.

The 26-year-old has been approached by the Ironmen, who are being bankrolled by multi-millionaire Stan Thomas and are hoping to earn promotion to an expanded 16-team Principality Premiership.

But Rees, who made his debut for Bedwas in 2012 and was last season’s supporters’ player of the year, signed a fresh deal last winter.

Merthyr are offering huge, life-changing deals for semi-professional players and earlier this summer Ebbw Vale scrum-half Rhys Downes left the Premiership runners-up for The Wern after penning what the Steelmen described as “substantial three-year contract”.

But Bedwas are not going to budge and insist that Rees will replace flanker Simon Grainger, who is joining Merthyr, as club captain.

“It is frustrating because Phill committed to the club when he signed a new contract in February and agreed to be our captain,” said chairman Mark Lewis.

“He came to us three seasons ago and was far from the finished article but we have worked our socks off with him and he has put in lots of work to become a big player for us.

“There has been no contact from Merthyr. Nothing. We have spoken to the Welsh Rugby Union about it but they don’t seem willing to get involved.

“We are putting a stake in the ground. I understand that it’s a lot of money but there have to be some ground rules.

“I’d imagine that (head coach) Steve Law has spoken to more players than anyone but when you learn they have signed a contract elsewhere you draw a line under it and leave them alone until that deal comes to an end.”

Keeping Rees will be important for Bedwas, who have already lost last season’s player of the year Arron Pinches after the centre earned a chance with Moseley in the English Championship.

The club have beavered away to strengthen their squad after yet another solid campaign in which they finished fifth and were in contention for the playoffs.

They have signed three members of Bridgend’s Swalec Cup winning squad – number eight Andrew Waite, full-back/fly-half James Dixon and centre Adam Williams.

Mitch Auger, a loosehead prop from Ystrad Rhondda who also played for the Ravens, strengthens the pack along with Carmarthen Quins lock/flanker Aidan Laxton and Bargoed lock Geraint Edmonds.

Ebbw Vale scrum-half Dai Jones, Welsh Students centre Gabriel Davies and Nelson full-back Kurt Clabby bolster the backs.

“What we have tried to do is make our squad more competitive and that brings a more honest environment,” said Law.