Newly-crowned Principality Premiership champions Neath play their final league game of the season at Ebbw Vale tonight seeking to sign off on a high note before entering upon the new “super eight” play-off competition. (KO 7.30pm).
The Welsh All Blacks clinched an amazing fifth championship title in six years and a first for coach Patrick Horgan in his role as Head Coach when they ran amock against luckless Bedwas on Saturday in a record-breaking 109-21 win to spark scenes of joy and celebration at The Gnoll.
But they travel to Ebbw Vale mindful of the fact that the proud Gwent club beat them up there last season and will no doubt be looking to leave the Premiership on a high of their own.
Neath continue their policy of making wholesale changes to keep the team fresh over what has been a busy period of concentrated fixtures on hard grounds and, providing permits are forthcoming, the Welsh All Blacks will field a completely changed starting XV albeit with some key performers returning and on the bench.
Horgan said: “It was wonderful to settle the title on Saturday with such a cracking display in front of our own supporters. I have no doubt that this special group of players deserve the title of champions because the boys have worked so hard in training to turn things around.
“At times it seemed that a lot of people outside the club itself did not want us to win this title but our determination and will-power kept us going. Our players might be part-time but their attitude has been great, training hard after their day’s work and we have reaped the rewards after a lot of people had written us off.
“With the new play-off competition coming into being, we still have a lot to play for so we have made the changes to keep everyone involved and give everyone the chance to stake a claim for places in the season’s finale.
“There is absolute respect for Ebbw Vale in the selection as the title has been won by our squad with no first XV emerging as such and we have also mixed in a few more local youngsters on permit and are again grateful to their clubs for releasing them.
“Having coached up there myself, I know that Ebbw Vale will not be easy. We well remember that they beat us 27-10 up there last year, then there is the Rowland factor and, now that their relegation is confirmed, they would like nothing better than to wave goodbye for now to the Premiership by beating the new champions.
“We will need to be as determined, as direct and as disciplined as usual and we are very much looking forward to visiting a very proud Welsh rugby club. Other people in the Game may voice different opinions but we at Neath totally respect Ebbw Vale and their facilities and you won’t hear us kicking them when they are down.”
Neath v Ebbw Vale (Away)
K.Morgan; R.Smith, J.Spratt, W.Mitchell, D.Evans; G.McCarthy, T.James; A.W.Davies, A.Littlehales, J.Reeves; H.Pugh, P.Sidoli; A.N.Other, C.Price, S.Tandy
Replacements : K.Phillips, S.Thomas, R.Jones, O.Jordan, G.Price, E.Evans, M.Collins or A.Whitney
