Neath supporters will be pleased to hear that prop Ben Uphill is making good progress in his recovery from knee and shoulder surgery undertaken at the end of the season.

Ben went under the knife twice but both operations were successful and he will play a part in pre-season training ahead of a belated start in September.

Having the strong scrummaging Nantyffyllon product around is good news for Neath and Ben is relishing returning for the Blacks – “Maybe there will be some extra scrums in the Championship,” he grinned.

Photo courtesy of Len Kowalski of www.lensworkphotography.co.uk @NeathTog