South Wales RL will be moving to the original home of Rugby League in Wales for the start of the 2017 season.

Following the game against Hemel Stags the club will be moving with immediate effect to Merthyr Tydfil, with the impressive facilities at Wern Sports Park becoming the new home.

Wern Sports Park, the home of Merthyr RFC, has benefitted from significant investment recently and is now one of the most impressive sporting arenas in Wales. Pride of place at the soon to be 4,500 capacity stadium is a new 4G surface with a new on-site gymnasium under construction.

The ground and clubhouse in Merthyr Tydfil are within walking distance of both the mainline railway and bus stations and is easily accessible to the A470 and heads of the valleys roads for those travelling by car.

The town of Merthyr Tydfil hosted the first ever game of Rugby League in Wales on September 7^th 1907, when Oldham were the visitors to the old College Field ground.

Commenting on the move, director Marc Lovering said: “The facilities at Wern Sports Park are second to none. Our players and supporters deserve the best and the facilities at our disposal in Merthyr will be amongst the best on offer outside of Super League.

“The move represents a massive opportunity for us to move the club forward. Once we became aware of the opportunities at Merthyr, the Board was unanimous in its decision to move. We are conscious that relocating the club again may raise a few eyebrows amongst some of our supporters but I’m sure those that have seen the progress we have made this season have faith in the Board and the decisions we take.

“Merthyr RFC is without doubt the most progressive club in Wales. They have invested in both the playing squad and facilities, and have built up great momentum. If we can tap into that, and give the people of Merthyr another great team to get behind, then we can start to make real progress and build a club all our supporters old and new are proud to be a part of.

“Gerald McCarthy, our Chief Executive, has worked quickly to get everything in place but he couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of everybody at Merthyr rugby club. Everyone has been fantastic and there is genuine excitement at what the future may hold.

“This is a genuine partnership with Merthyr RFC and we will be working tirelessly to raise the profile of Wern Sports Park, Merthyr RFC and the town itself throughout the country and further afield.”

Merthyr RFC Club Patron Sir Stan Thomas echoes those sentiments adding “We are delighted to welcome South Wales Ironmen to the Wern Sports Park and to Merthyr. The arrival gives the people of Merthyr and South Wales an option to appreciate a different sport whether that be as a spectator or player. I’m sure the people of Merthyr will get right behind them when the season starts.”