Neath will be hoping to have recovered from the battle-fatigue that afflicted one or two players in the 20-26 defeat at Moseley last Saturday. They will be pleased to have a Welsh official in charge too as last week they incurred the wrath of Mr. Kelly of the London Society whose interpretations were not always to Neath’s liking and he dished out four yellow cards to the Blacks last week.
Neath make a number of changes with fit–again Gareth McCarthy returning at centre alongside Luke Ford. Greg Evans makes his first start since joining from London Welsh while Chris Morgans, for so long an effective emergency wing this season, gets a run at scrum-half.
Up front, prop Anthony Lott returns to his old club while Gerwyn Price, James Reeves, Mike Collins, Adam Powell and Adam Whitney also start.
Neath Head Coach Patrick Horgan, said, “We are expecting a real battle at Bargoed who have a very strong home record. We know they are a formidable side – always one of the best in the east – and more than capable of raising their game.
“Last year, they took Llanelli, the eventual winners, all the way at Parc-y-Scarlets and they will be doubly dangerous on their own ground with the whole village there to support them.
“They have a number of players with Premiership experience and we know we will need to play well to get the result we desire and progress in the Cup.
Neath 15 A.Jenkins; 14 K.James, 13 L.Ford, 12 G.McCarthy, 11 G.Evans; 10 D.Langdon, 9 C.Morgans; 1 A.V.Lott, 2 A.Littlehales, 3 J.Reeves; 4 M.Collins, 5 P.Sidoli; 6 G.Gravell (captain), 8 A.Powell, 7 A.Whitney
Replacements : 16 N.Downs, 17 A.Littlehales, 18 L.Evans, 19 E.Uzoigwe, 20 G.King, 21 A.Bramwell, 22 T.James
