Narberth Rugby Club has strengthened the existing squad in the close season and most of the players from last season have signed again, apart from fullback Rob Irving, who has returned to his roots in the North of England, and outside-half Tom Lewis, who has returned to Pembroke Dock. Otters' supporters are delighted that scrum-half Chris MacDonald has come back to Narberth from Llanelli and that he will be joined by two other former players, winger Andrew Jones and prop Nathan Williams, who have returned after spells with Carmarthen Quins. In addition, a number of new players have joined the squad, most of whom have a strong Pembrokeshire connection. Injuries to the front five last season weakened the squad, but this should be rectified, with prop Justin Hughes, hooker Dan Smith and lock Darren Morgan joining from Llanelli. Lloyd Phillips has rejoined Narberth from the Scarlets' Academy. Like MacDonald, he is another product of the Otters' junior and youth teams and will be available for the Otters in the back row, when not on duty with the Wales Under 19 team. Unfortunately, flanker Andrew Dennis will miss most of the season as he is on a tour of duty in the Falklands with the Royal Navy. Behind the pack, Steve Williams will partner MacDonald at half-back. The former Pontyberem number 10 hails from Haverfordwest and did have a brief spell with the Otters some years ago. On the coaching side, senior coach Jonathan Dodd will become director of rugby and experienced forwards coach Sean Gale is another to join the club from Llanelli, where he has been coaching alongside Scott Quinnell for the past few years. Former Narberth captain Emori Katalau has agreed to assist in coaching the forwards in the senior teams as well as playing when needed and former Narberth outside-half Clive James will assist in coaching the backs. Scott Quinnell continues to take an interest in the Narberth club and will take specialist coaching sessions from time to time, placing an emphasis on defence. Rob Phillips, the former director of rugby, will take on the role of video analysis and technical support, providing expert detailed match analysis for use by coaches and players. One of the senior players, David Ebsworth, will have a hands on role in team management, but will continue to be a member of the playing squad. Commenting before the new season, director of rugby Jonathan Dodd said: "We are building on the foundations of last season when a lot of young local talent was given experience. "Our aim is to be more competitive, with the addition of experienced players to the squad and with an improvement in set-piece play to target a place in the top half of table. "All of the coaches have been delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the squad in pre-season training, and together with the players, we are looking forward to getting the rugby under way." Team manager Robert Lewis added: "Last season, there were a lot of young Pembrokeshire players in the squad, who needed a season to get accustomed to playing at a higher level. Although it was often a hard experience, these young players benefited from being pushed in at the deep end. "The experienced players coming into the squad will blend with the enthusiastic younger members and should enable us to push for a top half spot at the end of the season. "All of the players appreciate the magnificent support from the club's supporters, who have stuck with the club, through thick and thin and this year we hope to repay them for that support, with improved performances from a strengthened playing squad." Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth continue the build up to the new league season with a home fixture against premier division opposition, when Bridgend will be the visitors to the Lewis Lloyd ground. Kick- off is at 2.30 pm.
