For their trip to Carmarthen Quins, Neath make six changes from the side that won 35-19 at Llandovery last week.
Director of Rugby Patrick Horgan and his coaching team of Steve Williams, Leigh Davies and Kevin Morgan are reasonably pleased with their side’s progress to date but are only to well aware of the need to develop further momentum.
Lock Peter Sidoli takes his place alongside the consistent Euros Evans in the second row, skipper Arwel Thomas returns at outside-half and Kevin Morgan at full back while Neath are delighted to welcome back prop Craig Mitchell and wing Kristian Phillips from The Ospreys.
Director of Rugby Patrick Horgan said: “We have had two good away wins at Bedwas and Llandovery but we are not getting above ourselves and fully realise just how difficult a challenge will be posed by Carmarthen who beat Pontypridd last week.
“We were satisfied with the manner in which we controlled the game at Llandovery and might have pressed on for a bonus point. If anyone had offered us two good opening wins, we’d have taken it. There is always scope for improvement and team spirit is good with everyone showing an eagerness to progress.
“Six changes to a winning team is a lot but the players coming in have proven qualities and we need to rotate as we have a long season ahead of us.
“Carmarthen are always difficult opponents to overcome and we certainly had our hands full down there last season in the Cup when they came closer to beating us than anyone.
“They will be confident after beating Pontypridd last week and we expect them to include a few influential Scarlets. Given the Neath connections of their coaches Geraint Evans and Max Howells, we know we will have a game on our hands.
“We are taking excellent support with us on the road and, with the weather improving, the Black Army of Neath supporters should be out in force.”
Neath: (v Carmarthen Quins) 15 K.Morgan; 14 K.Phillips, 13 N.Brew, 12 L.Ford, 11 A.Jenkins; 10 A.Thomas, 9 K.Farrell;
1 A.Lott, 2 A.James, 3 C.Mitchell; 4 E.Evans, 5 P.Sidoli; 6 M.Collins, 8 N.Thomas,
7 G.Gravell
Replacements: G.King, G.McCarthy, T.James, A.Littlehales, J.Reeves/M.Jones, N.Edwards, C.Price
