Neath target top spot

The Welsh All Blacks are boosted by the return of prop Andrew Howell, lock Euros Evans and back-rower Ben Davies. The Principality Premiership’s joint leading try scorer, Stephen Thomas, is also available as the club awaits the arrival of the referee’s report before appealing his red card against Bedwas.

Neath Head Coach Roland Phillips knows that recording a win away to Cross Keys will be a tricky proposition: “I am sure they will be gunning for us. Pandy Park is always a difficult place to visit and Cross Keys probably need one more win to make absolutely certain of their Principality Premiership status.”

Phillips hopes to banish memories of the reverse Principality Premiership fixture at the start of the season: “Last October Cross Keys won 10-6 for their first victory in 43 years at The Gnoll. We respect them as a very well coached team that has achieved a number of outstanding victories particularly on home soil this season.

“We will be looking to build upon our success against Bedwas who certainly made us play and it was significant that several players reproduced the form of which we know they are capable.

“Despite outside pressures, this group of players has worked hard together and team spirit is strong, we have trained well this week and we hope that our preparation will bring us the result we need.”

Neath: G King, N Clapham, K James, A Bevan, J Spratt, S Thomas, A Thomas, G Bowen, G Jones, G James, P Jones, N Downs, L Gerrard, J Thomas, A Howell, A Littlehales, G Price, S Martin (Captain), E Evans, M Morgan, J McPhail, A Llewellyn, B Davies, D McShane, S Pengelly