A club spokesman said, “As of Thursday, The Gnoll was thawing fast but it’s a question of what the weather has in store for us. We will do everything we can to get the game played and supporters are advised to keep up to date via our website.”
Bedford are currently second in the English championship, just two points behind Worcester, and ahead of BIC holders Cornish Pirates and London Welsh. They are widely recognised as one of the best teams in the competition and are led by Canadian full back and goal-kicker James Pritchard with former Cardiff and Wales stalwart Mike Rayer as head coach.
Neath Head Coach Patrick Horgan, said: “We have not played since November 20th and again this week it is very much out of our hands. We have continued training in all weathers at different venues as we have attempted to overcome the freeze but the boys are really itching for some match-action.
“If the game does go ahead, we know we face a big challenge because Bedford are a top side – big, physical, quick and well-drilled. The Gnoll and a big home crowd will be an important factor and we are encouraged by our experience last season. Maybe we and the other Welsh clubs showed too much respect early on but we learned a lot from this excellent competition, we improved as it progressed and we can’t wait to get underway again.”
Neath have named a 25–man squad from which the team will be finalised following a Saturday morning training session.
Neath: G.King, A.Bramwell, K.James, A.Jenkins, S.Thomas, L.Ford, C.Morgans, J.Thomas, D.Langdon, T.James; N.Downs, A.V.Lott, G.Price, A.Littlehales, R.Davies, J.Reeves; E.Evans, M.Collins, N.Bonner-Evans, P.Sidoli; G.Gravell (captain), L.Evans, A.Powell, E.Uzoigwe, A.Whitney
