TOM Hancock is aiming to build on the work done by Leighton Jones after being appointed as head coach of Pontypool.

The former fly-half has been confirmed as Pooler’s next boss after holding the reins in Super Rygbi Cymru following the shock exit of club great Jones.

Hancock left Llandovery in the summer after taking up a role with the Dragons academy and returned to Pooler, initially as attack coach.

The left-footer had three spells with the club as a player and started his coaching career at Pontypool Park, where he will now be the boss.

Hancock said: “I am honoured to accept the role and am excited by the opportunity. Super Rygbi Cymru is a new and exciting competition and this historic and proud club is better for being in it.

“There are some strong foundations already laid here and we'll aim to build on those by challenging for trophies whilst developing the young talent here.

BOSS: Tom Hancock has been appointed as Pontypool head coachBOSS: Tom Hancock has been appointed as Pontypool head coach (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

“We hope to continue to be a team that our community can be proud of, and we want to create our own bit of history as a team in the coming years.”

Pooler started the season by running Llandovery close, when Hancock was calling the shots in the absence of Jones.

He was then caretaker boss for the win at Bridgend, loss at RGC in Colwyn Bay and then win against the north Walians in Gwent.

“It was pleasing to get the desired response out of the boys this week. We will always accept winning and losing but the manner of the defeat last week was unacceptable,” he said.

“The boys have been superb in their honest approach to training and we worked hard on putting our game-plan together to turn the result around in front of our home supporters.

“Credit to the players and the whole coaching group for devising and executing that plan. It was great to see players take their opportunity.

“Adam Stratton was superb on his first start of the season and I loved seeing Buster Bodkin take to the field for the first time. He earned his opportunity and continues on the conveyor belt of local talent.”

Pooler head west to face Carmarthen on Saturday and then host Newport in a mouth-watering Gwent derby.