CROSS Keys have named flanker Scott Matthews as their new club captain and pledged to give youth a chance in the upcoming Principality Premiership campaign.

The 22-year-old former Dragons openside has succeeded experienced centre Leon Andrews as skipper at Pandy Park and scrum-half James Leadbeater, 27, will be his vice-captain.

With the revamped, 16-team Premiership ring-fenced for three seasons, Keys are taking the opportunity to look to the future with Matthews backed to lead by example.

“Scotty has always been the heir apparent to Leon and this gives him the chance to develop his leadership skills,” said head coach Greg Woods.

“He is a talisman for us and is one of the standout players in the Premiership so is a good fit while ‘Leady’ will help him out.

“This is the perfect opportunity to make the change and they will be backed up by a strong leadership group of senior players with the likes of Leon, Richard Cornock and Darren Hughes.”

Keys, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season, have signed prop Lewis Smout from Cardiff along with fellow loosehead Cory Hewlett from Penallta, flanker Max George arrives from Cardiff Met, outside centre Lewis Barnett arrives from Penallta permanently after impressing on permit last season while wing Jacob Unwin, formerly of Hartpury College, is on trial.

“The three years of ring-fencing means that we have got to be brave to give youngsters game time,” said Woods.

“We will still be very competitive but we also want to look out for the future of the club and we are all excited about the challenges ahead.

“As coaches it is our job to make individuals better but we also want to develop our attacking game and are looking to score more tries.”

Keys continue their pre-season preparations in Bristol against Old Redcliffians this afternoon (SAT) following victories against Glamorgan Wanderers and in a conditioning exercise against Abercarn and Treorchy when they played four quarters of 25 minutes, all up the slope at Pandy Park.

Newport are once again in action against English opposition, taking on Coventry in the West Midlands after a narrow defeat to Rosslyn Park in a fiercely competitive game at Rodney Parade.

Bedwas started their pre-season with an 11-try win at Glynneath and host Bedlinog while Premiership new boys Bargoed, who have resigned one of their old boys, prop Anthony ‘Vinny’ Lott from Keys, head to the West Country to face Exmouth.