By David Williams
Ashley Sweet is to leave Ebbw Vale after a decade of loyal service and could move to rivals Pontypool.
The Steelmen’s skipper has chosen to move on, along with back row forward Cameron Regan and prop Rhys Francis.
Joe Franchi has already been confiirmed as the Premiership club’s new captain for next season, with the remainder of the current campaign already shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sweet, 31, had been a mainstay at Ebbw for 10 years and formed a formidable second row partnership alongside former captain Damien Hudd.
He was at the heart of the club’s return to the top flight after relegation in 2010, helping the team to win Division 1 East and the Championship.
The Steelmen ended the truncated 2019-20 season eight points clear of the relegation zone and will once again be in the Welsh Premiership when next season starts. That achievement after a summer of departures last year was a significant one.
“Ten years ago I had the pleasure of joining a giant force in Welsh rugby with an aim of gaining promotion to the Premiership. Since then I’ve seen players come and go and worked with some outstanding coaches, all giving their absolute all to the cause,” said Sweet.
“I feel honoured to have had a small part to play in the success the club has achieved over the years, with my biggest memory being winning the Premiership trophy.”
The loss of three pack stalwarts will give new skipper Franchi a tough baptism as leader, but head coach Greg Woods is confident he can be a success of in his new role.
A new award for the 2017/18 Annual Presentation and another that is voted for by our loyal supporters.
Try of the Season 2017/18 v Swansea – @jfranchi93
#FeelTheSteel pic.twitter.com/qqs6rDzYkF— Ebbw Rugby (@evrfc) June 15, 2018
“Joe has all the qualities of a good leader and he leads from the front on and off the field. He is undoubtedly the right person to lead us through the next period at Ebbw Vale,” said Woods.
“Last season was always going to be a hard and uncompromising challenge with such a big squad turnover last summer. We had four main aims – staying in the Premiership, bringing our rugby budget to a manageable and sustainable level, bringing through the best local talent and working closely with the mini and junior sections of the club to create a vibrant hub of rugby in Blaenau Gwent.
“The effort and work rate of the squad throughout the season was remarkable. Some players gained valuable Premiership experience in pressure situations and this will only benefit us long term.
“We had some bad losses along the way, but also some memorable wins, none more so than the away victory at RGC when our squad was decimated. The raw emotion and feeling generated from everyone, fans included, at the final whistle will live long in the memory.
“I was really pleased with the new players’ attitude and performances. It’s always hard joining a squad in transition but they can be proud of their contribution to the season and they can look to build on their reputations as strong Premiership players.
“Senior players, led superbly by Ashley Sweet, stood up to the challenges we faced. Throughout a hard campaign they never once went into a negative space, but kept pushing forward.
“There were some real signs of improvement in performance levels post-Christmas and, before the postponement of the season, we felt we were a very tough team to beat and were digging out some positive results.
“After the hard work of this season we have a positive outlook for the next campaign. We will have a settled squad, some boys are coming back from injuries and everyone is looking forward to getting back together to start working hard.
Thanks @jared_lougher @chris_ower @Alun03 for nomination!! I nominate @lydstep66 @dai_langdon @mrfrancispe @AshSweet6 pic.twitter.com/qwrozHaqkt
— Greg Woods (@Woodsy2957) March 31, 2020
“We would have loved to have finished the season because we wanted to play those big games and earn the right to stay up in our own right – we wanted to earn everything we got. We worked all year for that target and although we were eight points clear, with a game in hand, of the drop there were still 25 points up for grabs and I’m sure some twist and turns were left in the race.
“But we fully understand the situation and the decision to postpone the season, which was the right, correct and only decision which could be taken. Rugby is not the priority now and rightly so.
“In this period of isolation, we have a clear communication plan with all players and staff with weekly check ins and the players are enjoying the new house party app. There is a rumour that a team social has never been so full!
“They are all working hard maintaining their fitness levels as best they can in the circumstances. Whenever the pre-season starts we will work as hard as ever and our renowned fitness levels will be worked on fully.”
Woods also confirmed that the first game back at Eugene Cross Park will be a celebration / testimonial game featuring a Ross Jones XV v Rob Sevenoaks XV.
“It will be a great way for rugby to re-start in Ebbw Vale and I’m sure everyone will look forward to celebrating two of Ebbw Vale’s recent great players and stalwarts. A fun day for everyone will be in store which is desperately needed in these times,” added Woods.