PRINCIPALITY Premiership runners-up Ebbw Vale have bolstered their ranks with Pontypridd flanker Luke Crocker while four existing back row forwards have signed up to try and go one better next season.

Crocker, 6ft 2ins and 16st 5lbs, heads to Eugene Cross Park after two successful seasons with champions Ponty, not only bagging a pair of league winners medals but being in the matchday squad that beat Cross Keys in the 2014 Swalec Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

The 25-year-old hails from Cardiff and is predominantly a blindside flanker but has the ability to play across the back row and lock.

Ebbw have retained the services of Ronny Kynes, Cameron Regan, Rhys Clarke and Gareth Williams, the latter of whom will be aiming to push for a more regular place in the team after returning from a serious leg injury.

Rhys Downes and Chris Thomas will battle for the 9 jersey after penning fresh deals but David Jones has left for Bedwas.