The leading club game in Wales on Boxing Day is at The Lextan Gnoll where Neath entertain Aberavon (kick off 2.30pm).

Latest weather forecasts suggest a dry day with maybe sunny spells (cast by Wizards ?) so a big crowd is expected to sample this traditional festive occasion and spectators are advised to arrive at the ground early to avoid congestion.

Neath came desperately close against Swansea last week in a 22-27 defeat while Aberavon have suffered successive defeats at league leaders Llandovery but both teams will raise their game for the derby when form frequently goes out of the window.

Centre Ryan Evans leads Neath who make only two changes from last week’s starting line-up with young flier Steff Gibson coming in on the wing and lock Cai Arnold returns allowing the in-form Jacob Blackmore to switch to blind-side to cover the unavailable Fergus Kneath.

If and when wing James Roberts emerges from the replacements’ bench it will be his 100th appearance – the replacements also include Sion Wilcox, Gareth Lloyd and Chris Morris.

Neath v Aberavon (Home)

15 Lewis Evans; 14 Steff Gibson, 13 Ryan Evans (captain), 12 Kristian Jones, 11 Ryan Griffiths; 10 Steff Williams, 9 Elis Horgan; 1 Jack Powell, 2 Sion Crocker, 3 Tim Ryan; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Cai Arnold; 6 Jacob Blackmore, 8 Morgan Kneath, 7 Ben Williams

Replacements – 16 Chris Morris, 17 Mason Morgan, 18 Gareth Lloyd, 19 Thomas John, 20 Dyfan Ceredig, 21 Gruff Williams, 22 Sion Wilcox, 23 James Roberts

Supporter Information

Ground entry is just £10 (Adults), Under-16’s FREE.

Buy your tickets online to save queuing at the turnstiles:

https://neathrfc.com/tickets/

• Turnstiles at the Town End will open at 1.15pm
• Programmes on sale inside the gates (only £2)
• Refreshments available inside the ground
• For the comfort of spectators, no dogs allowed (other than sight-assisting), and there is no smoking or vaping inside ground.
• Match Raffle and half-time collection in aid of “2Wish”

Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday     Dec.  30      Carmarthen Quins                            Away           2.30pm

Saturday     Jan.     6     Merthyr                                           Home          2.30pm

Saturday     Jan.   13      Pontypridd                                       Away           2.30pm

Saturday     Jan.   20      Cardiff                                            Home          2.30pm

Saturday     Jan.   27      Ebbw Vale                                       Away           2.30pm