WALES Under-20s boss Jason Strange has paid tribute to former club Ebbw Vale following their crowning as Principality Premiership champions.

Strange, who played for and coached the Steelmen, was delighted to see the Gwent club finish top of the pile this season under the leadership of Nigel Davies.

Ebbw’s 38-12 destruction of Pontypridd saw them capture the Premiership title a year after Strange guided them to a grand final defeat by the same opponents.

Ex-Llanelli, Newbridge and Newport goal-kicker Strange believes that setback 12 months ago helped them go one better this time around.

And he also feels that having such a tight-knit squad made up of Gwent-born players has been a key contributor to the Eugene Cross Park outfit’s success.

“It’s a great club with great values and history, and I’m delighted for everyone there,” said the 42-year-old from Tredegar.

“Not only have they been successful on the field, over the years they’ve managed to maintain their identity.

“They haven’t gone away from what they thought was important. They’ve looked after and developed local players.

“What I think has been their biggest achievement is that 90 per cent of the players are from north Gwent and have been with them for a long time.

“It’s a great model for a lot of the Premiership teams to use.

“For them to do what they did is superb for the area and the club.”

Strange, who coached Ebbw for four seasons and was named Premiership coach of the year in 2014/15, added: “They have got that extra year of experience from the Premiership final last year, and I think that was shown, plus their hunger and desire to win was outstanding.

“The fact a lot of those players have played 150-200 games together makes a lot of difference.

“Every season for the last five they’ve been successful and won trophies.

“They’ve got a good winning mentality and I thought there was no way they were going to lose that final because of their desire and hunger to win a trophy this year, particularly after what happened last year in the final.”

Strange is hoping to cap a fine season of his own next month when Wales go for glory at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester.