Editing Pontypridd RFC (section)

===1990–2002===
The 1990s saw a large change in [[Welsh rugby]], especially with the inauguration of the first official Welsh leagues in 1990. Pontypridd were placed in the top division for that season and have until now never been out of the top-level in the Welsh game. They secured third places in 1991–92, 1993–94 and 1995–96 plus a runner up finish to [[Cardiff RFC]].

During the 1993–94 season there was speculation about the possibility of Anglo-Welsh competition containing only the 'Big Four' Welsh clubs of Cardiff, Neath, Swansea and Llanelli. Pontypridd's 27–12 victory over Neath in November was considered to have made the case for a 'Big Five', and coach Dennis John expressed pleasure at having put an end to such speculation later in the season following a narrow defeat to Cardiff in the Welsh Cup semi-final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-ponty-s-case-for-a-big-five-1507543.html|title = Rugby Union: Ponty's case for a Big Five| website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date = 22 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-commentary-jones-has-the-jump-on-luckless-pontypridd-cardiff-and-llanelli-through-to-swalec-cup-final-1370898.html|title = Rugby Union Commentary: Jones has the jump on luckless Pontypridd| website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date = 22 October 2011}}</ref>

In 1996 the club won its first official major honour, beating [[Neath RFC]] in the final of the [[Welsh Cup]]. They repeated this achievement again in 2002 and 2006. The following season (1997) saw them win the Welsh League, narrowly over the same opponents. Both of these successes were obtained by what many consider Pontypridd's best ever team, led by [[Nigel Bezani]] and including players such as [[Richie Collins]], [[Neil Jenkins]], [[Paul John (rugby)|Paul John]] and [[Dale McIntosh]].

During the 2001–02 season, Pontypridd enjoyed a successful campaign, winning the [[WRU Challenge Cup|Principality Cup]] and narrowly losing to [[Sale Sharks]] in the final of the [[European Challenge Cup|Parker Pen Shield]] competition.<ref>[http://www.wru.co.uk/5114.php] {{dead link|date=May 2012}}</ref>

From then until 2003 Pontypridd consistently finished in the top five of the league but failed to challenge for top spot (and to qualify for the [[Heineken Cup]] – Europe's top tournament) as they struggled to cope with the added financial pressures of the newly professional game, losing a number of players to larger clubs and relying heavily upon their much admired youth academy system. However, in 2003 the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] would change the game in Wales forever with the advent of [[Welsh Regional Rugby]].