HE may be from Cwmbran but skipper Mike Herbert is proud to be a typical Pontypool player.

The flanker has been a firm fixture in the Pooler side since signing in 2017 and will move onto 99 appearances in today’s clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park (kick-off 2pm).

The captain will lead the charge in the first part of a double-header at the capital, with the Dragons following them onto the plastic pitch in the United Rugby Championship at 5.15pm.

Herbert’s back row partners Scott Matthews and Morgan Allen might catch the eye with their strong running while Dragons youngster Ryan Jones will add energy off the bench, but the skipper will be in the thick of it in true Pooler style.

He said: “I came through at Pontypool United and joined in 2017 so people are surprised when I say that I am from Cwmbran!

“I would say that I play with that typical Pontypool mentality – tough, hard-nosed, get stuck into everything even if I am not the biggest compared to a lot of the boys.

“I like to get in the tackles and don’t mid the odd jackal – although I was better at that when younger! – and sometimes I would rather carry the ball than pass it.”

LEADER: Mike Herbert of Pontypool scores a try at BridgendLEADER: Mike Herbert of Pontypool scores a try at Bridgend (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency)

Herbert, a carpenter, might be the skipper but he knows that he needs to perform strongly to nail down a starting spot.

“Since I joined, when Rob Nash was captain, there have always been great back rows,” he said. “It’s a great challenge every season with new boys arriving and making sure you are on top form.

“As captain there is no guarantee on your place, it doesn’t work like that here, so your performances at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays then on the Saturdays is so important.”

And Herbert – who captained Pontypool United through the age grades – loves the opportunity to follow in some famous footsteps when leading Pooler out.

“It’s brilliant and such a privilege,” said the 27-year-old. “There have been so many greats who have captained the club.

“Me and ‘Slug’ [Leighton Jones, former head coach] had spoken about it a bit through the years and since joining it’s been an aim.

“It was still a surprise to be captain because Scotty [Matthews] had done such a great job and I learnt so much from being vice-captain over the years.”

Pooler ensured the first block of the SRC was a good one by finishing with back-to-back wins against Newport and Swansea, when Allen and Matthews ran amok at St Helen’s.

Herbert believes they can build on that now that new head coach Tom Hancock has hit feet under the table after initially returning to the club to work under Jones with responsibility for the attack.

“The start of the season was a bit hit and miss,” said the flanker. “We had a lot going on with ‘Slug’ leaving and we had a lot of adapting to do with the new ideas of Tom and Ashley Sweet as forwards coach.

“It took us a bit of time but things look like they are starting to click and this second block is a big one for us.

“We finished with back-to-back wins and we trained hard in the break, so we want to show what we can do this weekend.

“Cardiff is a special place to play and we are looking forward to showing what we can do against a quality side. The belief is there.”

Promising Dragons duo Huw Anderson and Morgan Lloyd have earned promotions to the second part of the double-header but Oli Burrows aims to push for URC action by shining for Pooler.

Pontypool: Pat Lewis; Matthew Powell, Joel Mahoney, Kieran Meek, Marcus Jones; Harri Ford, Owain Leonard; Sam Cochrane, Oli Burrows, Owain James, Jon Verrier, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain), Morgan Allen.

Replacements: Connor Chapman, Kyan Best, Harry Drane, Lewis Robey, Callum Davies, Ryan Jones, Amosa Nove, Walker Price.