Celtic Warriors

The Celtic Warriors (Welsh: Y Rhyfelwyr Celtaidd) were a rugby union team from Wales, who played in the 2003–04 Celtic League and the 2003–04 Heineken Cup following the introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales. They were effectively a temporary merger of Pontypridd RFC and Bridgend RFC. The Celtic Warriors played just one season before disbanding. The team was poorly supported, with Pontypridd RFC supporters reluctant to watch the Celtic Warriors play in Bridgend and trying to prevent any aspect of Bridgend RFC's indentity seeping into the new entity. The animosity and insistance that Pontypridd RFC be the focal point for the team despite almost all financial support coming from Bridgend led to its downfall and the demise of pro rugby in Rhondda Cynon Taf, something Pontypridd RFC was trying to protect.