BUILTH Wells Rugby Club have lost a host of new players ahead of the new season.
However coach Nick Howells has insisted there is no reason for Bulls supporters to panic and insisted the Groe’s famous conveyor belot of talent had provided more than adequate replacements.
The Bulls began their preparations for another season in division two west with a 19-12 defeat at home to Llangennech last week with Rhiwbina the visitors to the Groe this weekend.
Howells said: “It was a good start to the season, Llangennech are a top club but we managed to match them for 80 minutes.
“We will continue to work hard during the next few weeks so we are as prepared as possible for the season opener against Maesteg.”
However such preparations will be done without retired wing John Thurston who has decided to take a break from the game.
Howells underlined how much of a blow Thurston’s exit represented but insisted he could empathise with the versatile wide player.
“John is still a young man and hopefully one day he will return to Builth but at the end of the day he lives at the other end of the county so the club appreciates that he faces excessive travel.”
The Bulls have also lost centres Luke Davies and Mike Powell who have taken the step to join championship side Ebbw Vale.
Second row Huw Thomas has also quit the Groe for the newly formed championship by agreeing a switch to Llanharan.
“Obviously it is a blow to lose anyone but the departures all at once means we will have a new back line this season.”
However Howells insisted the club had every faith in their emerging talent, developed through its junior section and through the youth team and into the reserves, would be more than capable of making the step up.
“The club has always developed its own players and as such we have no qualms over giving these youngsters a chance to shine in the first team.”