South Wales head coach already full of pride

With Championship One set to kick-off on Sunday, South Wales head coach Mike Grady has admitted he is proud the club has come through such a tough pre-season.

Founder and original chairman Phil Davies left the Scorpions last year, and his exit meant that by the time Wales Rugby League were able to take over the club, a lot of pre-season had been missed.

Grady and his squad have only been training since mid-January, so the former Warrington player says that win, lose or draw against Oldham, getting to the start-line has been a big achievement.

“It’s been a short pre-season,” he said.

“I’ve not been shouting from the rooftops but my players have had to fit a four month pre-season into around five weeks and I know it’s been the same with all the off-field and office staff too.

“I’m pleased with the progress so far and was delighted to have a ten-try outing in our only pre-season friendly last week.

“We have come a long way since that first session, and the pleasing aspect is that they are all proud Welsh players and all have been signed since I arrived.”

South Wales face the Roughyeds at their new Maesteg RFC home on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.