The old and the new of Welsh rugby will be on display in the inaugural Principality Premiership Play-Off Final between league champions Neath and arch-rivals Swansea at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
Neath skipper Arwel Thomas will finally bow out of the game at the age of 35, while Wales’ youngest ever international, Swansea wing Tom Prydie, will take another step along his development route as he tries to add to the two tries he scored in the semi-final.
Prydie, of course, is heading to New Zealand with Wales next month hoping to add to the one cap he won during the RBS 6 Nations against Italy. He will offer the All Whites some considerable fire power on the wing, while Ospreys’ forwards Ben Lewis and James Goode will add experience up front.
But as they eye up another double, Neath are going to be in no mood to bring down the curtain on Thomas’ great career with a defeat. Having already pocketed yet another Premiership title they will want to end their campaign on a winning note.
“It has been a great season for me. I took on the captaincy and I’ve really enjoyed doing that part of it, but as a side I think we have gone from strength to strength,” said the 23 times capped Thomas.
“The coaches have built a side that has plenty of experience and plenty of youth, too. I’m at one end of the scale and, at the other, are a group of young boys who have a great future ahead of them.
“There are players like Ashley James and Kristian Phillips, as well as many others. They are top young players who have already shown this season what they are capable of achieving. I imagine there are big things ahead for them both.
“I have to admit that when I joined Neath about five seasons ago a few of the boys still believed in Father Christmas. I put them straight on that one and a few other things too.
“Having said that, they have their moment too and I have always been a great believer in that side of things. The better the spirit, the better the side.
“I was lucky when I was at Swansea because I was in a good side, on and off the field. It really does make a difference when you feel comfortable alongside side the people you play with. ”
Having won 21 of their 26 league games, and then added two victories in the Play-offs, Neath will go into the game as strong favourites. They also toppled Swansea twice in the league.
Neath: Gareth King; Kevin James, Stephen Thomas, Nathan Brew, Alec Jenkins; Arwel Thomas (capt), Kevin Farrell; Anthony Lott, Ashley James, Martin Jones, Euros Evans, Neil Edwards, Gareth Gravell, Adam Whitney, Lee Evans. Replacements: Emyr Lewis, Andrew Littlehales, Peter Sidoli, Mike Collins, Tom James, Aaron Bramwell, Gareth Morris
Swansea: Nicky Thomas; Eli Walker, Hanno Dirksen, David Watts, Tom Prydie; James Dixon, Rhodri Wells; Lee May, Scott Baldwin, Tim Evans, James Goode, Richard Kelly, Luke Jones, Ben Lewis, Sam Kiley (capt). Replacements: Owen Phillips, Andrew Clatworthy, David Blythe, Sam Lewis, Aled Lewis, Adrian Thomas, Nicky Jones
