Neath v Pontypool Team News

5th September 2008

NEATH v PONTYPOOL (HOME) Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Four-times champions Neath open the new Principality Premiership season with a home game at The Gnoll (2.30pm) against last year's Division 1 (east) champions Pontypool whose return to the top flight is sure to attract a big crowd.

The Welsh All Blacks have revamped their coaching team with Rowland Phillips becoming Director of Rugby, Patrick Horgan returning as Head Coach and ex-Wales outside-half Arwel Thomas cutting his teeth as Assistant Coach.

As is their normal practice, Neath name a squad from which the team will be finalised. Included are a trio of ex-Ebbw Vale players lock Neil Edwards, No.8 John Bowd and scrum-half Bryan Shelbourne who haves followed Horgan back to The Gnoll.

Other new faces are Wales Under-20 lock Haydn Pugh and flanker Lee Evans who played for Neath Under-21's before joining Pontypridd.

Neath v Pontypool (Home) From
G.King, K.Phillips, M.Nuthall, K.James, D.Evans, K.Phillips, D.Lockyer, W.Mitchell, M.Jarvis, G.James, T.Knoyle, B.Shelbourne, M.Jones, N.Downs, C.Mitchell, G.Price, A.Littlehales, J.Richards, E.Evans, N.Edwards, H.Pugh, L.Evans, A.Llewellyn, J.Bowd, L.Beach (captain), G.Gravell

Quote from Director of Rugby Rowland Phillips
"The advent of the new season is always an exciting time and all the more so for us at Neath as we seek to build upon the good work of previous seasons.

"Our success means that everyone tries that little bit harder against us and we are expecting a stiff challenge from Pontypool on their return to the Premiership.

"In my playing days Neath against Pontypool was always one of the stand out fixtures in the club programme and it is great to see them back in the top Division.

"It is always a challenge to play against the promoted side first time out and it should be an attractive prospect for the fans.

"The bulk of last season's team is still with us and the new faces have added a fresh ambition to the squad. Having Pat back in the fold has been great too. His work at Ebbw Vale demonstrated that he is one of Wales' rising coaches and with Arwel on board as well we will not lack for halfback inventiveness.

"The hard preparation pre-season is done and now we can't wait to get going."