While Stirling County were putting it over Neath in Scotland, Bedwas were losing at home to Bedford.
The Welsh All Blacks will select from a stronger squad – they change the whole pack with only three men behind starting in the same position.
Prop Tom Price, skipper Gareth Gravell and fellow back-rowers Lee Evans and Matthew Rees return after injury. In addition, there are recalls for winger Kevin James, hooker Rhodri Clancy and lock Euros Evans who were all rested against Stirling County. Osprey lock James Goode, previously with Cardiff and Manawatu, makes his debut while scrum-half Luke Jones is home from Monmouth School.
Neath coach Patrick Horgan said, “After recent results, the only way is up really. It is time for an honest assessment of where we are and last week, we looked immature at times but we expect better with the return of some experienced guys.
“Bedwas are always formidable foes and they beat us up there in the League a fortnight ago so we want to see immediate improvement.”
Bedwas Head Coach Steve Law was philosophical about last week’s game against Bedford Blues.
“It was in many ways a game of two halves” he said “when we had possession we played some decent rugby but our defence especially in the first half was disappointing. It shows we can take nothing for granted in this great game.”
Looking ahead to the game at Neath, Law added: “It’s always a tough game at the Gnoll, we are ready for the challenge and are looking to build some momentum ahead of our return to league action which sees us with two tough away games at Cross Keys and Llandovery.”
On the field Bedwas make changes behind the scrum. Scott Williams and Jack Dixon (the latter after being on Heineken Cup duty with the Dragons last week) resume their centre partnership, and scrum half Josh Davies makes his first start in place of Tom Rowlands who drops to the bench.
Up front Simon Grainger comes in to the back row to replace the injured Deri Mattravers, Ben Roberts starts at hooker and Ian George at prop in place of Dan Preece who starts from the bench. Kyle Maiden and James Richards come into a new look second row.
Bedwas 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Ross Wardle 13 Jack Dixon 12 Scott Williams 11 Rory Budina 10 Ethan Davies 9 Josh Davies; 1 Ian George 2 Ben Roberts 3 Matthew Pettit 4 James Richards 5 Kyle maiden 6 Tom Morgan 7 Sam Feehan
8 Simon Grainger (capt)
Replacements: 16 Dan Preece 17.Kristian Gay 18 Rhys Hutcherson 19 James Thomas 20 Aaron Harris 21 Tom Rowlands 22 Richard Powell
Neath: 15 Gareth King; 14 Kevin James, 13 Ryan Evans, 12 Kyle Davies, 11 Chris Morgans; 10 David Langdon, 9 Luke Jones; 1 Owain Ford, 2 Rhodri Clancy, 3 Tom Price; 4 Euros Evans, 5 James Goode; 6 Gareth Gravell (captain), 8 Lee Evans, 7 Matt Rees
Replacements – 16 Nicky Downs/James Reeves, 17 Alun Wyn Davies, 18 Jonny Griffiths 19 Leon Ward, 20 Aaron Bramwell, 21 Elliot Jones, 22 Jonny Davies
