NEWPORT have named influential hooker Andrew Brown as their captain for the coming season.

The 31-year-old, who has made 199 appearances for the Black and Ambers, takes over from lock Alex Jones.

“Andrew captained the side at the end of last season and he made a real impression,” said head coach Sven Cronk.

“He is a player who leads by example rather than words and he is inspirational on the field.

“Importantly being captain didn’t affect his performances and I’m sure he’ll be a real success.”

Brown, pictured, will lead a side that has been bolstered by nine new signings after Newport tinkered with their recruitment policy.

The Black and Ambers were strongly aligned with Newport Gwent Dragons last season, a move that backfired when the region suffered from injuries.

The knock-on effect was felt by Newport, who were hard hit by injury themselves and used 74 players in a disappointing campaign that saw them finish seventh and fail to qualify for next season’s British and Irish Cup.

There will still be a number of Dragons on duty but Cronk will operate with a larger core of solely-Newport players.

Full-back Elliot Frewen (Tonmawr), wings Dan Ajuwa (Ebbw Vale) and Ifan Evans (Llandovery and Wales Sevens), centres Will Rees-Hole (UWIC), Charlie Johnson (Bedwas) and Luke Plummer (Dings Crusaders) and scrum-half Ryan James (Cross Keys) join the backs.

Hooker Dale Rogers arrives from Taffs Well while Hywel Stoddart, brother of Wales back Morgan and who played for Exeter A last season, will add options in the back row.

CROSS KEYS have continued their preparations for the British and Irish Cup by signing four more players.

Experienced fly-half Sam Mills (Ebbw Vale) will provide cover for Steffan Jones, Luke Williams (Scarlets Academy and Carmarthen Quins) bolsters midfield along with fellow centre Josh Robinson (UWIC) while Lewis Rawlins (Caerphilly) will battle for a place in the second row.

Prop Ian George, hooker Gerwyn Price, scrum-half Rhys Dyer and flanker Cae Trayhern signed early in the close season.

“The big thing for us is to have competition for every starting jersey,” said head coach Greg Woods.

“Our signings are a mixture of those with experience and those with raw talent that we hope to develop.”

PONTYPOOL have also been busy and have strengthened their front row and back three.

They will hope that hooker Ryan Prosser (Glamorgan Wanderers) and tighthead props Dan Matthews (Cardiff) and Alex Ng (Hong Kong) will provide more depth at the set piece.

Wingers Ryan Owen (Bedwas) and Rory Budina (Glamorgan Wanderers) and utility back Gareth Walters (Uwic) arrive behind the scrum.

Dragons Academy pair Josh Guy (scrum-half) and Ieuan Jones (number eight) have been allocated to Pooler and the club hope to bring through plenty of their own young talent.

Pooler have set up a development side that will take part in the Welsh Rugby Union’s second XV league.