Both sides had good home derby wins in the British & Irish Cup last Saturday. Neath secured a 45-27 win over Bedwas in a high-scoring contest while the Ravens produced a dominant forwards performance to beat Cardiff 21-7.
The recent cup success is in stark contrast to the side’s league form though as both Bridgend and Neath have struggled in the Principality Premiership. The Ravens sit in ninth place, just one spot above the Welsh All Blacks though both teams are level on points having taken nine points from their opening seven games.
Neither side has recorded back-to-back victories so far this season with both sets of coaches frustrated by their side’s inconsistency.
So with both teams evenly matched, the game promises to be hugely competitive.
Ravens’ head coach Ben Rose makes just one change for Saturday’s game with Tom Grabham moving to full-back to cover Ashley Evans. Luke Morgan joins Glen Lewis on the wing. Jamie Murphy starts at fly-half and Rose will be hoping he recreates the form he showed last weekend when he notched up 20 points in the victory over Cardiff.
After dominating in the forwards last week, Bridgend’s pack remains largely unchanged. Andrew Waite replaces Jonathon Vaughan on the flank and Owen Williams starts at prop. Jonathan Thomas is among the replacements. Ken Dowding also returns to the bench for the first time since the Ravens played Cardiff over a month ago.
Having re-structured their coaching team this week with Neil Edwards and conditioning coach Will Rees joining the club, Neath keep changes to a minimum.
“Beating Bedwas last week was a step in the right direction because they are a very good side and it took a strong all-round effort to better them,” said coach Patrick Horgan.
“It is time to build some continuity into our selection and reward success.
“We examined a lot of different options at the start of the season and are still looking to strengthen in certain areas. But from now on starting places need to be earned if we are to climb this league.
”Bridgend always play attractive rugby and we’ve been scoring tries ourselves – 13 in the last 3 games – so it should be good entertainment.”
Bridgend: 15 Tom Grabham 14 Luke Morgan 13 Nathan Edwards 12 Steve Winn 11 Glen Lewis 10 Jamie Murphy 9 Chris Williams, 1 Marc Thomas 2 Ashleigh James 3 Owen Williams 4 Lloyd Peers (c) 5 Lee Davies 6 Andrew Waite 7 Arthur Ellis 8 Adam Hillier-Rees.
Replacements: Ken Dowding, Jonathan Thomas, Scott Hicks, Jonathon Vaughan, Alun Evans, Ben Thomas, John Leyshon, Kyle Barrett.
Neath: 15 Aaron Bramwell 14 Kevin James 13 Ryan Evans 12 Kyle Davies 11 Chris Morgans 10 David Langdon 9 Luc Jones 1 Nicky Downs 2 Rhodri Clancy 3 Tom Price 4 Euros Evans 5 James Goode 6 Gareth Gravell (c) 7 Leon Ward 8 Lee Evans.
Replacements: James Reeves, Alun Wyn Davies, Jonny Griffiths, Rhys Williams, Matthew Rees, Gareth King, Jonny Davies
Referee: Kelvin Shorte (Wales)
