The Welsh All Blacks ring the changes for their last game before Christmas – injuries have taken their toll and Neath are borrowing four players from Llangennech who are without a game.
Former Neath and Wales hooker Barry Williams coaches the Division 1 West side and he has recommended four young players to The Gnoll club. Ellis Phillips plays at full back while Rhodri Jones is paired with Neath Athletic’s Elliot Jones at centre and lock Stuart Miller and flanker Ashley Banfield start in the pack.
Teenage squad members Cameron Clement and Tom Barry link up at half back while up front Tom Davies has returned from a spell playing in Hawkes Bay and will start after making an unexpected appearance from the bench last week.
Neath coach Patrick Horgan said, “As a rule, we don’t complain about injuries but three players went under the surgeon’s knife this week and we have no fewer than 15 players out of contention for this Saturday.
“We are very, very grateful to Llangennech through my old team-mate Barry Williams and the other clubs who have helped us out. The beauty of being able to bring in four promising players from the same club means that they will at least be familiar with each other’s game and we will still be looking to end our British and Irish campaign on a high note with a win.
“Playing against a full-time, professional side like Plymouth Albion is an excellent opportunity for these young lads and I am sure the Gnoll crowd, in full Christmas spirit, will give the new boys their total backing.”
Neath E.Phillips; D.Evans, E.Jones, R.Jones, J.Davies; C.Clement, T.Barry; N.Downs (captain), A.Littlehales, T.Price; S.Millar, J.Griffiths; A.Banfield, T.Davies, L.Ward
Plymouth Albion: 15 Mark Lee, 14 Ollie Mulberry, 13 Steve Johns, 12 Paul Bailey (capt), 11 Gareth Espin, 10 Rob Avery-Wright, 9 Paul Rowley, 1 Jack Andrew, 2 Rupert Freestone, 3 Mark Manton, 4 Dylan Flashman, 5 Addison Lockley, 6 Sam Matavesi, 7 James Harris, 8 Owain Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Davy McGregor, 17 Rob Dugard, 18 Kyle Mason, 19 Charlie Grace, 20 Dale Farnham, 21 Sam Hocking, 22 Bevon Armitage, 23 Wayne Sprangle
