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Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, a Pontypool club being one of six teams that created the South Wales Cup competition back in 1878. Pontypool were present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, only to disband before the turn of the 19th century. The club reformed in 1901, the club's accepted formation date. 

By 1904 the club had won the Monmouthshire League, and after a 2nd win in 1907 Pontypool was recognized as 'first-class' status, allowing the club to face higher opposition. In 1913/14 Pontypool became the unofficial Welsh Club Champions for the first time, and the second came in 1920/21. The great days of Pontypool RFC were in the 1970s and 1980s, when Ray Prosser was coach for eighteen years from 1969. An away match at Pontypool was a daunting experience for even the strongest sides during this period. We at Ystalyfera got our chance in season 1977-78, having been Champions of West Wales Section ‘C’ the year before, we met at Pontypool Park on a cold and wet 19th November 1977, in the First Round of the Welsh Cup. Up against the redoubtable Welsh front row (the Viet Gwent), of Charlie Faulkner, Graham Price and Bobby Windsor. Although the ‘Fera led through the prodigious Noir James 6 – 0, we eventually lost 6 – 86 having our brief moment of glory. Indeed as if greatly motivated, Ystalyfera beat Ystradgynlais the Saturday after 10 – 4 away, this the first time we beat them in the league for 10 years and this our only away win of that season.

Pontypool under the captaincy of Eddie Butler (1982 – 85), won the Welsh Cup in 1982-83 beating Swansea 16-6. Their best ever season was probably 1987-88, when they won 35 matches out of 36, scoring 1011 points and conceding only 411 points. Winning the Merit Table 10 times Pontypool were founder members of the Premier (Heineken) Table in 1990.  Pontypool were relegated from the Welsh Division 1 in 1995, avoiding relegation to Division 2 in 1997/98, with a last day 14-8 win over UWIC.

 In February 2002 whilst in Division 1, Pontypool defeated Swansea, the then reigning Welsh/Scottish Champions, 16-14 in a pulsating Principality Cup clash at Pontypool Park. They went on to lose narrowly to Ebbw Vale in the quarter final. In May 2002 Pontypool and Aberavon both finished top of Division 1 on the same number of league points and trys, but the Wizards got the title on a better for/against points ratio. On 2 May 2003, Lenny Woodard scored a club record 7 tries in a 90-3 win against Treorchy, his tally for the season being 44. This surpassed the 39 by David Bishop in 1983-84, but still falling behind the 55 obtained by wing Tom Robbins in 1913-14. Promoted to the Premier Division in 2003, the restructuring of Welsh rugby meant this league would become secondary to the new Celtic League. In May 2006 Pontypool finished bottom of the Premier Division and were relegated to Division One East. In the 2007/08 season Pontypool beat Beddau 53-9 and were declared champions of Division One East, returning to the Premier. Struggling at the lower end It was announced in September 2011 that the 2011-12 Premier Division would be reduced to 10 teams for the 2012-13 season and Pontypool were bottom. Pontypool launched a legal challenge to avoid being the only team relegated but lost the case. Despite a judge commenting that the WRU's changing of the structure was "against the rules", the WRU still had the power to do so. Pontypool started their first 2012/13 Championship season poorly, losing all but one of their first twenty matches. However, their fortunes improved towards the end, winning six of their last seven games. Since 2013 Pontypool have remained in the Championship, and for the last five campaigns have finished top but not getting promotion for various reasons. In 2021-22 there is no promotion thanks to COVID restrictions. Pontypool have moved forward on the home front however, with investment in both their facilities and team structure - still seeking that elusive promotion, maybe next year..........