Three weeks ago, Glamorgan Wanderers knocked Neath out of the Cup in highly controversial circumstances after they opted for uncontested scrums and feelings amongst Neath supporters are still running high.
Coach Patrick Horgan stresses though that on-field order is, as always, a must and he wants the All Blacks to be every bit as well-disciplined as they were last week in gaining a 29-12 bonus point win at neighbouring Aberavon in a good, hard but clean and fair-spirited local derby.
With a clean bill of health after the Aberavon game, Neath enjoy the rare luxury of being able to name an unchanged team although skipper Arwel Thomas may stand in for Gareth McCarthy who is a slight doubt. Young replacement prop James Reeves was stretchered to hospital with an ankle injury so Emyr Lewis returns to the bench.
Head Coach Patrick Horgan said: “Saturday’s 29-12 win at Aberavon was very well deserved. Neath-Aberavon games are always difficult to negotiate and Aberavon certainly made us work hard which is what we always expect.
“After the Cup episode, our boys realise that opponents will do anything they can to put one over us and I was very impressed by our attitude, determination and above all discipline against Aberavon.
“Everybody worked hard for each other and our defensive line was solid. Again, the boys’ collective resolution kept us going until the end when we snatched that vital fourth try for the bonus point.
“We can still improve though. We should have made more of other good opportunities we created and we don’t like conceding tries – any tries !
“Now revenge against the Wanderers is our aim – not in any physical retribution terms of course but in a rugby sense. Our supporters are right up for it but on the field we need to be as disciplined as we were against Aberavon to get the result.
“Hopefully the 2.00pm kick off will ensure a large crowd. The Gnoll clubhouse is always jam-packed on international days – not only with regular Neath supporters – so we are hoping that they all come along a little earlier and see for themselves what is on offer in the Premiership which is after all where most of the Wales XV started.”
Neath K.Morgan; K.James, N.Brew, S.Thomas, A.Jenkins; G.McCarthy, K.Farrell; N.Downs, A.James, M.Jones; E.Evans, N.Edwards; M.Collins, L.Evans, G.Gravell (captain)
Replacements : R.Smith, A.Thomas, T.James, E.Lewis, A.Littlehales, H.Pugh, C.Price
