Neath host near neighbours Swansea at The Gnoll on Saturday and will be looking to get their title challenge back on track.
Pontypridd regained the lead in the Principality Premiership courtesy of their midweek win at Pontypool but Neath do have a game in hand and every game will count as the season reaches an exciting climax.
“Neath against Swansea is always one of the most keenly anticipated fixtures on our list and it brings out the best in players and supporters,” said Neath head coach Patrick Horgan.
“Both sides enter the game on the back of defeats. We lost at Pontypridd while Swansea lost surprisingly at home to Llandovery so we’ll both be keen to make amends.
“We fully expect Swansea to field a few Ospreys but that can be unsettling for a team and we’ll be up for the challenge whoever we face.”
Neath team:
A.Jenkins, K.James, A.Bramwell, J.Thomas, C.Morgans; D.Langdon, T.James; N.Downs, A.Littlehales, J.Reeves; E.Evans, M.Collins; L.Evans, N.Bonner-Evans, E.Uzoigwe
Replacements – TBC
Pontypridd v Llandovery
Saturday, March 19th, 2011 – Kick Off 2.30pm
Pontypridd will be going all out to preserve their regained status as top team in the Principality Premiership when they play hosts to Llandovery on Saturday.
Llandovery occupy thirteenth position down at the other end of the table with just three wins from eighteen games played this season, but have given every indication that they are willing to fight tooth and nail for their Premiership lives.
An away win at high flying Swansea last time out proved the Drovers’ battling capabilities – a fact of which Ponty coach Dale McIntosh is well aware.
“Llandovery always push us close, home or away, and seem to produce their best rugby against us” said McIntosh.
This game for us will be all about getting the win, and anything extra will literally be a bonus. We appreciate Llandovery’s desire to do well against us.”
Wing Chris Clayton and prop Ken Knaggs have picked up slight knocks on the leg and are rested, as Pontypridd continue to rotate selection in a bid to keep players fresh. Senior Blues front rowers Sam Hobbs and Kristian Dacey are drafted in, as is Academy youngster Matthew Screech to the second row.
The Pontypridd team:
15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Garyn Lucas. 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Kristian Dacey. 3.Sam Hobbs. 4.Ryan Savage. 5.Matthew Screech. 6.Darren Waters. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.
Subs: Kristian Baller; Simon Humberstone; Gary Williams; Huw Dowden; Jake Thomas; Craig Locke; Stuart Williams.
Cross Keys v Aberavon
Saturday, March 19th, 2011 – Kick Off 2.30pm
Fourth placed Aberavon travel to Pandy Park this coming Saturday (March 19th) to take on eighth placed Cross Keys in the Principality Premiership match, kick off 2:30pm.
The Wizards have won thirteen of their eighteen league games this season and have won their last four games – against Cardiff, Bedwas, Llanelli and Carmarthen Quins. The Keys have won eight and drawn one from eighteen but lost their last league game away to Pontypool a week ago. The match will be the thirty-third time that both sides have met in the league with the Wizards leading the series by twenty-three wins to seven with two games drawn.
Aberavon have made three changes to the side that beat Carmarthen Quins in the Wizards last league game. Two of the changes are in the pack with Lloyd Howell starting at loosehead prop instead of Neil White and James King starting at blindside flanker ahead of Aaron Bray. Behind the pack the only change sees Chris Lewis come in for Ben John on the left wing.
Aberavon Team:
Ricky Thomas; Richard Carter, Will Price, Liam Gadd, Chris Lewis; Matthew Jarvis, Dan Davies; Lloyd Howell, Marc Breeze, Anthony Edwards, Nathan Strong, Ian Moore, James King, Richard Morris, Chris Davies (capt). Replacements:
Andrew Jenkins, Richard Thomas, Aaron Bray, Sam Williams, Ian Poley, Rowan Jenkins, Neil White.
