WRU Championship leaders Neath visit Brynaman RFC on Friday (kick off 7.15pm) in a special fixture to help the home side mark their 125th anniversary.

Neath eased past Cardiff Metropolitan by 60-17 last Saturday and, with no further league action this month, the Blacks make wholesale changes.

Only three starters remain from last week in wing Ryan Griffiths, centre Ben Atkins who makes his 50th appearance and lock Matthew Davies. No.8 Elis Hopkins came off the bench in the second-half for his first game since re-joining the Club from Llanelli and he will lead the side.

The old warhorse Leon Ward re-appears in the back row which also features  Llangennech flanker Fergus Kneath – the third Kneath brother to play for Neath – who is one of three debutants alongside promising 18 year old Trebanos outside half Rhys Harris and Colts winger Llewellyn Hawkes.

Coach Patrick Horgan says, “There are many changes from last Saturday when we did a lot of good things. For us, it is about repeating those good habits, continuing to build our patterns and reinforcing our depth for the future as well as marking Brynaman’s fine achievement.”

Neath v Brynaman (Away)

15 Jon Bayliss; 14 Ryan Griffiths, 13 Sean Wilcox, 12 Ben Atkins, 11 Llewellyn Hawkes; 10 Rhys Harris, 9 Jay Weaver; 1 Gareth Lloyd or Jack Powell, 2 Evan Kneath, 3 Jon Thomas; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Ioan Jones; 6 Leon Ward, 8 Elis Hopkins (captain), 7 Fergus Kneath

Replacements (From) :- Jack Powell or Gareth Lloyd, Sion Crocker, Tarik Dabeh, Sam Martin, David Griggs, Macauley Griffiths, Lewis Dyke, Lewis Evans

Referee – Mr. Elfyn Morris-Roberts (Swansea Valley)

Forthcoming Fixtures :-

Sat.    Dec.      3     Ystrad Rhondda                        Away            2.30pm

Sat.    Dec.   10     Maesteg Harlequins                  Home           2.30pm

Sat.    Dec.   17     Glamorgan Wanderers              Home           2.30pm