Aberavon Rugby Club are delighted to confirm the senior squad that will represent the club during the 2026/27 Super Rygbi Cymru campaign, as the Wizards embark on a landmark 150th anniversary season.

The squad brings together retained players, new additions and a group of Ospreys-allocated players, giving the coaching team significant competition and depth across the field.

With a demanding season ahead, Head Coach Chris Davies believes building a squad capable of dealing with the realities of a long campaign has been a key part of the club’s preparations.

“One thing we were really conscious of when putting the squad together was depth. A season is never played with your best 23 available every week. There will be injuries, players unavailable, changes in form and different opportunities that come along.

“We wanted genuine competition throughout the squad. Players need to know that the shirt has to be earned, but equally we need to know that when somebody gets their opportunity, we have another player ready to step in and perform.

“It is a big squad, but that is deliberate. The challenge now is making sure everybody feels part of what we’re building while understanding that competition for places is going to be strong.”

Strength in depth

The Wizards’ squad contains considerable options throughout the pack, including five loose-head props, three hookers, five tight-head props and four recognised second rows. The back-row provides particularly significant competition, with players covering all three positions.

There is similar depth behind the scrum. Five scrum-halves and three outside-halves are named, alongside a substantial group of centres and outside backs, giving Aberavon options across the backline.

Davies added:

“Depth isn’t simply about having numbers. We want competition to drive standards. Nobody should feel that selection is guaranteed and, equally, every player in this squad should believe that if they perform, there is an opportunity for them.

“We also know how important our relationship with the Ospreys is. Having Ospreys-allocated players within the squad is hugely positive. It gives those players meaningful rugby in a competitive environment while adding further quality and competition to our group.

“The important thing for us is that whether you’re an Aberavon-contracted player or allocated to us through the Ospreys, when you come into our environment you’re an Aberavon player. You’re expected to contribute to the group, embrace our standards and compete for the shirt.”

Whitlock & Smallman Named Co-Captains

The squad announcement follows confirmation that Scott Whitlock and Shay Smallman will lead Aberavon as co-captains for the 2026/27 season.

Whitlock, who operates at scrum-half, and second-row Smallman will share the captaincy as the Wizards enter their 150th anniversary campaign. Both are established members of the Aberavon group and will play an important role in driving standards within a squad featuring significant competition for places.

Head Coach Chris Davies said:

“Scott and Shay are two players who really understand what we want this group to represent.

“They lead in different ways and I think that is a real strength. Captaincy isn’t about one person having all the answers; it’s about helping drive the standards and behaviours of the group every day.

“With the size and competitiveness of this squad, leadership throughout the group is going to be incredibly important. Scott and Shay will lead us as co-captains, but we want leaders everywhere.

“It is also a huge honour for them to captain Aberavon in our 150th year. They understand the history behind the shirt, but their responsibility now is to help this group write its own chapter.”

Ospreys allocation

Those allocated to Aberavon by the Ospreys for the 2026/27 campaign are Dylan James, Elis Cox, Ethan Bolche, Stef Jac-Jones and Will Hepher.

That group complements the club’s core senior squad and strengthens the pathway between professional and Super Rygbi Cymru rugby.

With the season stretching across the autumn and winter months, player availability will inevitably fluctuate. Aberavon’s approach has therefore been to create a squad capable of maintaining standards regardless of personnel.

Davies concluded:

“Our job now is to turn a large squad into a tight squad.

“There will be players disappointed when they’re not selected and there will be players who have to be patient. That’s competitive sport. What matters is how we respond to that and how hard we continue to push each other.

“It’s our 150th year and we understand what it means to represent this club. We want a squad with enough quality, competition and resilience to attack a long season together.

“The message is simple: earn your opportunity, earn the shirt and Earn Every Inch.”

Aberavon RFC 2026/27 Senior Squad

Props: Jordan Walters, Tyler Murvai, Theo Malik (Bath Rugby), Dylan James (Ospreys), Callum Boland, Conrad Delfosse, Aneurin Morgan, Ben Owens, Dewi Brown, Eli Cowan.

Hookers: Luke Davies, Saul Hurley, Gavin Parry.

Second Row: Shay Smallman, Lewis Marsh, Ross Fox, Evan Hill.

Back Row: Rhys Thomas (Captain), James Clegg, Will Jones, Freddie Stevens, Oliver Jones, Ellis Cox (Ospreys), Ben Bora, Sam Morris, Zak Evans, Carson Lewis, Owen Popple, Evan Western, Ashton Evans, Brandon Owens.

Scrum Half: Elis Horgan, Scott Whitlock, Dan Buffery, Caelan Carson-Jones, Morgan Roach.

Outside Half: Kiellen Cullen, Stef Jac Jones (Ospreys), Charlie Thomas.

Centres: Bradley Roderick, James Price, Ethan Bolche (Ospreys), Sam Jardine, Mac Williams, Frankie Jones, Garyn Smith.

Wings: Felix Gilbert, Cori Lewis-Jenkins, Cian Evans, Will Hepher (Ospreys), George Thorrington, Flynn Baker, Corum Nott.

Full Back: Scott Delnevo, Morgan Williams, Tate Shaw.