James eyes move to Pooler (From Free Press Series)

James eyes move to Pooler

Abergavenny 16 Llanhilleth 15

ABERGAVENNY captain Will James has told the Free Press he is considering his position with the Division Three East club.

James has big aspirations to test his skills at the highest level possible and would relish a move to a bigger club. Last summer Pontypool made an approach for the Bailey Park forward, but the player declined their offer as he felt honour bound to stay with Abergavenny.

The back row talent said: "I am considering maybe making a move at the end of the season. My loyalties are with Abergavenny at the moment and have been from the start of the season. I did not want to leave the club in the lurch, but I would like to make the move for myself more than anything else, to see what I am capable of."

James began his career with Pontypool Youth alongside British Lion Mark Taylor before switching to his home town club's youth section at Abergavenny.

He still has strong feelings for Pontypool and admits a move there would be his ideal choice.

"I would like to go to Pontypool. They are a Premiership club and there are links there from my previous time with them," he said.

Speaking on Saturday's nail-biting win of bottom club Llanhilleth, James said the result was more a relief than anything else.

"I think the boys were pleased to just get the win. We weren't confident going into the game after recent results so to just win was a positive in itself.

"Llanhilleth have improved a lot since we played them last. After the spell we've had recently it was good to beat them. They might be bottom, but a win is a win," he said.

Abergavenny, now seventh in the table, travel to sixth placed Newport Saracens this Saturday. James is expecting a hard game, but says the side must look to get something from the match.

"We need to make sure we can finish mid-table now. We blew our chance of doing better ages ago. We don't have a big squad and we had key players injured so that explains our slump. The boys who came in did a good job, but you do still miss your key players," he said.

Saturday's match kicks off at 2.30pm.