· Swansea RFC announce the first summer signings as Jordan Pritchard and Shaun O’Rourke
· Jordan Pritchard makes his first Premiership signing from Treorchy RFC
· Shaun O’Rourke swaps the Raven for the Osprey badge
Swansea RFC are pleased to kick start the new player signings for 2019/20 with news of the arrival of Jordan Pritchard and Shaun O’Rourke.
Tighthead prop, Jordan Pritchard, makes his first Premiership signing with The Whites following two seasons at Treorchy RFC. The twenty-one-year-old from Ferndale first started rugby with Rhondda Schools under 15’s, advancing on to the Blues Under 16s, and Ospreys Under 18’s. Pritchard had his first taste of the Premiership with a couple of appearances for Pontypridd, and this summer has joined the Ospreys under 23s academy.
On signing for The Whites, Jordan said, “I’m really looking forward to the new challenge of being part of the Premiership whilst also linking in with the Ospreys academy, and It will be good to get the full Premiership experience having had a brief run out in the league with Pontypridd.”
Second row, Shaun O’Rourke, arrives at St Helen’s with a wealth of Premiership experience having played for three seasons at Bridgend Ravens, and a season at RGC and Pontypridd respectively. The 25-year-old from Pontypridd also played for Wales at under 18s and was an uncapped player with Wales under 20’s squad.
Swapping the Raven for the Osprey on his shirt, O’Rourke said “I couldn’t refuse the offer to come and player for such a prestigious club and am pleased to be joining the squad. Pre-season has been intense but enjoyable and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity of wearing the Whites jersey out on the pitch at St Helen’s this year”
Head coach, Hugh Gustafson commented, “Jordan is a great young and upcoming tighthead prop who’s been called into the Ospreys under 23s this summer. He’s played well for Treorchy the past two seasons and had a couple of run outs with Pontypridd last season, so we are pleased to offer him a Premiership contract.
Shaun is a huge grafter in training and on the pith and adds another dimension to our second-row options. Its great to get this giant of a man over to us from Bridgend, and we look forward to seeing him out on St Helen’s this year.”
The Indigo Premiership will be kicking on Saturday 7th September with The Whites opening their campaign at home with a local derby vs Llanelli RFC. Bring your family, friends, colleagues … all are welcome at the clubhouse, and let’s get the 2019/20 campaign underway with a home Win!