PONTYPOOL have pledged to "go again" in their bid for the Premiership after backing the Welsh Rugby Union's decision to cancel the Specsavers National Championship season because of coronavirus.

There was set to be a fascinating battle for promotion to the top flight with Pooler unbeaten after 16 wins from 16 but not certain of a fourth title on the spin.

With 10 fixtures remaining they were just five points ahead of Bargoed, who were meant to have home advantage in a mammoth clash between the teams on the penultimate weekend of the season.

However, on Friday the WRU made the decision to cancel all of their competitions because of the pandemic with all teams remaining in their current division for 2020/21.

That means more agony for Pooler in their bid for a return to the Premiership for the first time since 2013.

The club missed out on promotion in 2016 before the revamped top flight was ring-fenced for two seasons and lost a play-off against Llanelli last season.

Penarth Times:

"Whilst we are all absolutely devastated that we will not be able to complete the season and realise our dream of achieving promotion to the Indigo Premiership, we fully understand the Welsh Rugby Union's position and support them in the decision they have reached," read a Pooler statement.

"Although the decision will be incredibly disappointing for supporters, we would ask everybody connected to Pontypool RFC to support the Welsh Rugby Union at this incredibly challenging time.

"We have all worked so hard in recent years to once again make Pontypool RFC a vibrant and successful club, but we recognise that sport must take a backseat until the COVID-19 pandemic has stabilised.

"As much as we want to be a Premiership club, it is far more important that our squad, staff, volunteers and supporters remain healthy in the long-term and we would urge everyone to follow the government's guidance on social distancing and protecting older people and vulnerable adults.

"Please be assured that the club will still be there for all of us to enjoy in the future and we will

go again."

The WRU cups will not be completed and the cross-border competition between Welsh and Scottish clubs, which Ebbw Vale were due to take part in, has also been scrapped for the current campaign.

The Union stated that 1,113 games that would need to be played to complete league competitions which would take "an absolute minimum of eight weeks".

Penarth Times:

"We did not take this decision lightly. It is not intended to in any way diminish the games that have already taken place or the efforts of everyone involved," said chief executive Martyn Phillips.

"We were particularly aware of the impact on clubs with the potential to be promoted or win competitions, but in the end we have had to make the decision to ensure we play our part in safeguarding Welsh communities.

"We know clubs will be disappointed but also hope they will be understanding, given the circumstances."

The decision means that Ebbw are safe from relegation in the Premiership, although they were already in a healthy position ahead of bottom club Bridgend.

Newbridge were runaway leaders in Division One and set to play a promotion play-off with the winners of Division One East for a swift return to the Championship.

'Bridge were also 80 minutes away from a final at Principality Stadium after making it to the semi-finals of the WRU National Plate.