There is no sign of the Gnoll club’s injury problems easing and it may be another afternoon of toil for the Welsh All Blacks but coach Patrick Horgan is in defiant mood saying, “The lads gave it everything they had last week and after half an hour it was 12-7 and we were giving them plenty to think about.
“Ultimately their professionalism and teamwork told and we were just unfortunate to run into one of the very best sides in the tournament at the wrong time.
“Going straight back to Goldington Road where Bedford have never lost in the tournament is a massive call. They are obviously a long way ahead of us at the moment but strange things can happen in rugby and I know our boys will lack nothing for effort.”
Last week, the Welsh All Blacks had 15 of their 30-man squad on the injured list and Neath are again seeking permits to complete their squad.
Included are the Glynneath pair of Gareth Howells and Liam Puckett, Tonna scrum-half Gareth Davies and Cwmllynfell’s Nathan Ace. Luc Jones is home from Monmouth School and New Zealander Dean Cummins will make his bow.
Neath 15 Aaron Bramwell 14 Kevin James, 13 Ryan Evans, 12 Lloyd Phillips, 11 Kyle Davies, 10 Dean Cummins, 9 Luc Jones; 1 Nicky Downs (captain), 2 Alun Wyn Davies, 3 Tom Price; 4 Rhys Jones, 5 Gareth Howells; 6 Nathan Ace, 8 Steffan Jones, 7 Leon Ward
Replacements: 16 Owain Ford, 17 Rhodri Clancy, 18 Liam Puckett, 19 Matthew Rees, 20 A.N. Other 21 Gareth Davies 22 Ben Jones
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