Neath’s spectacular 36-33 Boxing Day success over Aberavon saw them open up a one-point lead over Swansea at the top of the Principality Premiership but they are not counting their chickens ahead of their next challenge – against Pontypool at The Gnoll tomorrow (KO2.30pm).
Pontypool may be bottom of the Principality League at present but they have a proud history and their last outing before going into “cold storage” over the Christmas holiday produced a highly creditable and absolutely crucial win over next-to-bottom Ebbw Vale.
The Welsh All Blacks’ injury problems have abated a little and they incurred no casualties in the high octane clash against Aberavon. Coach Patrick Horgan and his team are therefore able to resume their normal practice of naming the starting XV which sees five changes from the side that started the win against Aberavon.
Behind the scrum, winger Richard Smith takes over from Kevin James and up front, Ashleigh James, Emyr Lewis, Mike Collins and Neil Edwards return.
Neath Head Coach Patrick Horgan said: “Boxing Day’s win over Aberavon was an absolutely outstanding advertisement for the Premiership and we could not have hoped for anything better than a bonus point win over strong opponents in a game that had everything.
“But that is done now and we will need to raise our game again for Pontypool who are a far better side than their League position suggests. I was very impressed by them up there in September and we’ll have it all to do.
“The Premiership’s biggest crowd of the season attended the Aberavon game and they must have liked what they saw and hopefully enjoyed it enough to come again. There was skill and talent, passion and pride shown by both sides.
“We should have another good crowd as Pontypool are always well supported and Neath people have great respect for Pontypool rugby. As a squad, we fully realise that we will need to play well to win against what will be a very determined outfit.”
Neath: 15 A.Jenkins; 14 R.Smith, 13 S.Thomas, 12 N.Brew, 11 K.Phillips; 10 A.Thomas (captain), 9 K.Farrell; 1 E.Lewis, 2 A.James, 3 M.Jones; 4 M.Collins, 5 N.Edwards; 6 E.Evans, 8 L.Evans, 7 S.Tandy
Replacements: K.James, G.McCarthy, T.James, N.Downs, G.Price, P.Sidoli, A.Whitney
