BEDWAS will be captained by Dan Preece when they get their Principality Premiership campaign under way at Carmarthen Quins, writes Chris Kirwan.

Phill Rees had been set to lead the Bridge Field side following the departure of Simon Grainger to Merthyr but he has also moved to the big-spending Swalec Championship promotion hopefuls.

The matter is in the hands of Bedwas' legal team as the 26-year-old lock had signed a fresh contract last season. Head coach Steve Law has now opted for Preece as the new club captain with fly-half Richard Powell his deputy.

Bedwas finished fourth in 2012/13, sixth the following year and fifth last season so loosehead prop Preece wants to take the next step and extend the season.

"We've been in the battle for the play-offs so we have to put ourselves in the hunt again," he said.

"We have got to try and be there at the business end of the season. Consistency will be the key for us while we have to make a better start than we did last year."

Bedwas may have lost Rees, Grainger and centre Arron Pinches, who has earned a chance with Moseley, but they beavered away to secure plenty of new arrivals.

They signed three members of Bridgend's Swalec Cup winning squad – number eight Andrew Waite, full-back/fly-half James Dixon and centre Adam Williams.

Mitch Auger, a loosehead prop from Ystrad Rhondda, strengthens the pack along with Carmarthen Quins lock/flanker Aidan Laxton and Bargoed lock Geraint Edmonds.

Ebbw Vale scrum-half Dai Jones, Welsh Students centre Gabriel Davies and Nelson full-back Kurt Clabby bolster the backs.

"We've been put through our paces in pre-season but the boys are looking sharp," said Preece.

"The club has signed some good new players while the majority of the squad have stayed on. We've lost one or two but that's the nature of the beast and we are looking strong as a squad and ready to push on."