SRC: Ex-Dragons forward Max Williams returns to Newport RFC

The 26-year-old lock/flanker has joined up with the Black and Ambers, who he made three appearances for when coming through at the Dragons, for the Super Rygbi Cymru campaign.

The athletic forward from Pill is not included in the squad for Thursday’s home fixture against Llandovery but is poised to feature in the coming weeks.

Williams made 22 appearances for the Dragons and also had a loan spell in the English Championship with Coventry when on the comeback trail from a serious Achilles injury.

The former Wales Under-20s international stepped away from rugby after being released in 2022 to concentrate on his property business but has now decided to return with the Black and Ambers.

ATHLETIC: Former Dragons forward Max Williams will aim to make an impact at Newport RFC (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Max approached us and is keen to get back involved,” said head coach Ty Morris.

“We had a good relationship with him from when he stepped up from the Dragons and he is a Newport lad, so it’s nice that he wants to get back in those colours.

“He is clearly a very good player so the key for us is to get him starting to enjoy his rugby again. He has come on board and hopefully we can get him involved with a few minutes in the coming games.”

Williams will watch on as Newport attempt to build on their winning start to the SRC against the team that edged them out in last season’s Premiership final.

Newport are second in the table thanks to victories against Bridgend, Swansea and Aberavon, with last week’s 29-19 win against the Wizards coming after their encounter at the Talbot Athletic Ground was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

CHARGE: Full-back Ioan Davies carries hard for Newport at Swansea (Image: Jeff Wright Photography)

“We are not where we need to be in regard to the standards of the end of last year but we have to be pleased with three wins and picking up some bonus points,” said Morris.

“What’s really pleasing is how the boys are problem-solving and finding ways to win. It may not be the wide, entertaining rugby that we have wanted, in part due to the weather, but we have been winning despite having to make changes to the team.”

Llandovery, meanwhile, have lost more games in the opening rounds of the SRC than they did in their entire double-winning 2023/24.

The Drovers sneaked past Pontypool in their opener but were turned over by RGC in the north and then doubled by Ebbw Vale.

“I’ve spent some time looking at them this week and they are still a huge threat with the ball and they are playing some lovely rugby,” said Morris.

“What’s maybe letting them down is their set piece and that has been a real strength of ours in the first three games, so hopefully that will stay the same.”

Newport are boosted by the availability of fly-half Matt O’Brien, who hasn’t played since opening weekend because of his job as Dragons backs coach.

With Jac Lloyd set to be out until mid-November after having his appendix removed, full-back Carwyn Penny has been deputising at 10.

Scrum-half Dafydd Buckland, wing Elliot Frewen and centre Chay Foster-Smith come into the XV while up front Harry Fry is back from Australia to start at loosehead with Ollie Drake continuing to rotate with Nathan Evans at tighthead.

Dragons flanker George Young gets more game time at blindside with promising Wales Under-20s lock Mick Thomas starting next to Josh Skinner.

The number of Dragons featuring has been small due to injury but the hope is that centre Harri Ackerman, wing Oli Andrew, full-back Ollie Woodman and scrum-half Che Hope will be available for some action in the second block of fixtures.

Lock Barny Langton-Cryer has also returned to training with the Dragons after a knee injury.

Newport: Ioan Davies; Lloyd, Lewis, Jon Morris, Chay Foster-Smith, Elliot Frewen; Matt O'Brien, Dafydd Buckland; Harry Fry, Henry Palmer, Ollie Drake, Josh Skinner, Nick Thomas, George Young, Josh Reid, Ben Roach (captain).

Replacements: Tyler Olding, Tom Workman, Nathan Evans, Joe Peard, Kyle Tayler, Luke Crane, Carwyn Penny, Barney Nightingale.