Their British & Irish Cup adventure over for 2009/10, Neath return to Principality Premiership action this evening with a home game against Carmarthen Quins at The Gnoll (KO 7.15pm).
If Neath win well they could overtake Swansea who, despite losing to both Newport and bottom club Pontypool, have taken advantage of Neath’s recent involvement in the British & Irish Cup.
Neath ended their British & Irish campaign on a real high. They made 12 changes for the Coventry game on Saturday and the revamped side produced an outstanding display in a rousing 29-24 victory and the Welsh All Blacks have virtually a full squad available with full back Gareth King poised to become the latest to make his century of appearances for Neath.
Neath Head Coach Patrick Horgan said: “It was very pleasing to end our British & Irish Cup run on such a positive note with a thrilling win over Coventry. Reflecting on the group, the tournament was good for us and we put ourselves in a position to win every game against full-time sides.
“The competition has sharpened up our act but now we concentrate on the bread and butter of our season – the Welsh Premiership – and we know we will face a real challenge from Carmarthen Quins who won at Ebbw Vale on Saturday.
“We made a lot of changes for Coventry and challenged everyone to prove their worth against quality opposition. The team responded with a display which will be remembered for a long time at The Gnoll as it really was a cracking game.
“With players returning from injury and the younger ones really staking a claim, there is strong competition for places throughout our squad and we’ll need it in the weeks ahead. We will be looking for another big effort because Carmarthen Quins have a lot of good players, have won their last 4 games and are still in the Cup.”
Neath: G.King; K.James, S.Thomas, W.Mitchell, A.Jenkins; A.Thomas (captain), K.Farrell; N.Downs, G.Price, M.Jones; E,Evans, N.Edwards; M.Collins, G.Gravell, C.Price
Replacements: R.Smith, G.McCarthy, T.James, A.Lott, A.James, H.Pugh, A.Whitney
