Despite horrendous injury problems this year, the Welsh All Blacks have battled their way to top spot while Keys moved into second position courtesy of an overwhelming 51-14 Pandy Park win against Newport on Tuesday evening.
This will be the third time the sides have met this season with honours even so far after two Pandy Park clashes, Keys winning the first in the British & Irish Cup and Neath taking the second in the Premiership in February.
Coach Patrick Horgan, said, “Cross Keys are enjoying a wonderful season and are showing no strain yet of fighting on three fronts if you like – the Premiership, the Welsh Cup and the British & Irish Cup.
“They are the best side in Gwent and have put Swansea and Newport to the sword in the last week so are obviously in tip-top form and we know it will take another big performance from our boys who are digging deep and deserve to reap the rewards.
“We were well pleased with our win at Pontypool last week as Pooler have not given up hope in the Premiership and were bouncing after beating Cardiff.
“The meeting of the top two is a great start to what could be a memorable weekend for Welsh rugby and we are right behind the Welsh team especially with former Gnoll favourites Adam Jones, Paul James, Ian Evans, James Hook and, more loosely, Leigh Halfpenny engaged at the Millennium Stadium.”
Neath are without captain Gareth Gravell who fractured his shoulder four weeks ago but, with typical grit, has continued to lead the side.
Elliot Jones and Aaron Bramwell bolster the back division against Keys while up front there are returns for flanker Matthew Rees and prop Nicky Downs who will at last be making his 150th appearance in the All Black shirt while consistent flanker Lee Evans reaches his century.
Neath A.Jenkins, E.Jones, K.James, A.Bramwell, C.Morgans; D.Langdon, T.James; N.Downs, R.Clancy, T.Price; E.Evans, R.Jones; L.Evans, A.Powell, L.Ward, M.Rees.
Replacements O.Ford, A.James, J.Reeves, A.Llewellyn, L.Ward, C.Clement, J.Davie
