PONTYPOOL RFC could be promoted to the Principality Premiership next season after achieving the Premiership A Licence.

Pooler are currently third in the SSE SWALEC Championship table and the top four clubs with A Licences at the end of the season will be promoted into the Premiership.

The top flight of Welsh club rugby will then be ring-fenced until the end of the 2018/19 season.

All 12 clubs competing in the Premiership this season – including Bedwas, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale and Newport – have maintained their Premiership A Licence status, which means they are eligible to compete in the 2016/17 competition.

And, in addition to Pontypool, fellow Championship clubs Bargoed, Merthyr, RGC 1404 and Swansea have also achieved the Premiership A Licence.

WRU group chief executive Martyn Phillips said: "The Principality Premiership is a vital part of the player pathway where almost all of our international players cut their teeth in senior rugby.

“Throughout the A Licence process, clubs have shown a real sense of ambition and determination to improve themselves both on and off the field and now the race is on to clinch the four available spots for the next three seasons of Principality Premiership rugby.

“The fact that there will be no relegation in the division for the next three seasons will hopefully help the coaches and players to concentrate on development and on producing an entertaining brand of rugby which will help produce Welsh professional players of the future.

“Following initial meetings, we plan to work closely with the Principality Premiership clubs to build a vision and strategy for the future of the division and will continue to help drive standards on and off the field in terms of medical, analysis, strength and conditioning, coaching and providing commercial support.”

Clubs awarded A Licence status: Aberavon, Bargoed, Bedwas, Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Llanelli, Merthyr, Neath, Newport, Pontypridd, Pontypool, RGC 1404 and Swansea.