Neath are back on top of the Principality Premiership – equal on points but ahead of Pontypridd (on tries) and of Swansea (on wins) – following their 21-13 success over Newport last week and the Welsh All Blacks now turn their attention to Llanelli who visit The Gnoll tomorrow (KO 2.30pm).
The two teams fought out an amazing game at Parc y Scarlets at the end of October when Llanelli led 26-5 at the start of the second-half only for Neath to show their undying spirit in launching a huge comeback to win 28-26.
After early-season experimentation, the Welsh All Blacks have arrived at a more settled selection and they keep changes to a minimum. The experienced Martin Jones returns for young James Reeves who did so well against Newport last week and Steve Tandy takes over from the injured Gareth Gravell while top points-scorer Gareth McCarthy and promising flanker Craig Price are fit to resume on the bench.
It will be a red-letter day for lock Euros Evans – the Newcastle-Emlyn product has been one of the mainstays of Neath’s successes in recent years and he makes his 100th appearance in the famous black shirt.
Head Coach Patrick Horgan said: “Neath versus Llanelli is always a top game for players and supporters and, after the spectacular we served up down there, there should be a good crowd for this one. Certainly, everyone in Neath is looking forward to it.
“By all accounts, Llanelli could have beaten Cardiff last week. They will be a different prospect to Newport in that they play a slightly wider, more varied game. They have a lot of very good young players who, as we found down there, will be up for the challenge.
“We were very pleased by last week’s display against Newport when we put to good use what we had learned from the British and Irish Cup. The conditions dictated the course of play but we showed good control and the team is showing great collective grit and determination which our supporters admire.
“We have fielded a much more settled side of late, there is a great team spirit with players itching to break into the XV and everybody is working hard for success.”
Neath: G.King; K.James, S.Thomas, W.Mitchell, K.Phillips; A.Thomas (captain), K.Farrell; N.Downs, G.Price, M.Jones; E.Evans, N.Edwards; L.Evans, J.Bowd, S.Tandy
Replacements: from – A.Jenkins, G.McCarthy, T.James, A.James, J.Reeves, H.Pugh, C.Price
