And former Wales flanker Kingsley Jones has the chance to prove he can still perform at the highest level, as he plays his first Welsh Premiership game of the season.
The Pontypridd player has been snapped by Vale on one game permit with Tyrone Morris suspended and Paul Williams, Vales regular flanker ‘in need of rest,’ said Vale’s Director of Rugby Ray Harris.
‘We are happy he’s going to play for us this weekend – he’s an excellent player,’ added Harris.
Jones joined Pontypridd at the start of the season following spells with Gloucester and Worcester- but he has been unable to break into the first fifteen due to the consistently excellent performances of Wayne O’Conner and current Wales openside Richard Parks.
Jones returns to the club he made his name for and said:’I have to prove my self again, and what better place to do it than in an Ebbw Vale shirt at one of the toughest places to play rugby, Neath.’
Ebbw Vale are looking for their second win of the of the season. The Steelmen won their Welsh Premiership opener 16-13 against Swansea, but lost 6-7 at Eugene Cross Park to Bridgend the following week. Neath won their opening match against Caerphilly 41-23 at Virginia Park.
This fixture was originally due to be played on January 25, but has been brought forward with both sides being available.
Ebbv Vale: 15 R Davies;14 R Shorney, 13 N Wakely, 12 M.Ridley, 11 A Takarangi;10 M.Meenan, 9 B. Shelbourne; 1 A Black, 2 L Phillips (cap), 3 M.Jones, 4 O Booyse, 5 P.Sidoli, 6 R. Williams, 7 K Jones, 8 K Tuipulotu
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