05-07-2025
SRC: Joe Franchi to captain Ebbw Vale in bid for silverware
Ebbw had a strong campaign in which they lost the Super Rygbi Cymru final to Newport and the SRC Cup final to Llandovery.
They will hope to use those experiences to win silverware in the coming campaign and if they do then hooker Franchi will lift it aloft.
Head coach Jason Strange has confirmed that the stalwart will continue as club captain.
'It goes without saying it's a huge honour to captain my hometown club for another year," said Franchi.
"The boys were a pleasure to captain last year, and our togetherness showed with us reaching two finals and keeping the SRC Shield for practically the whole season.
"We've managed to retain a lot of the players from last season and I know 'Chippy' [Strange] has already started to strengthen us in key positions, which is very exciting for the coming season. I'm looking forward to getting back to work with the boys.'
Franchi, whose twin Dom plays in midfield for the club, passed 200 Ebbw appearances last season.
The hooker went over for a remarkable 25 tries and his exploits around the park led to him being named as the Clive Burgess Man of Steel and the Ebbw Addicts player of the year.
Ebbw will defend the SRC Challenger Shield in the coming campaign after claiming it at Llandovery last October and then holding onto it throughout the regular season.
The Steelmen host Aberavon on the first weekend of the season on September 14 and then head to Cardiff for an early cracker.
That is followed by back-to-back games with Llandovery in a testing first month of the campaign.
