Back row forward Jordan Collier will captain Neath again in the 2017/18 season.
The 22 year old led Neath last season after being vice-captain the previous year and he is relishing the opportunity and responsibility of leading Neath for a second year on the next step of the road to recovery.
Jordan is one of Neath’s youngest captains and he said, “I am thrilled to bits and very honoured to be captaining my home town Club again.
“Whenever I see all those famous names on the Captains’ Board – top players and internationals – it really hits home to me. I just try to live up to their deeds and do the Club justice and that’s what I want from the team.
“When I first came to Neath as a youth player, the senior players had a wonderful, winning attitude and taught me a lot.
“We are obviously all focussed on improving again on last year. A lot of people were impressed by the strides we made and by the positive style of rugby we played.
“We have again recruited some strong players. There is a big local emphasis in the squad and already everybody’s looking keen and eager in training.
“It will be tough and it will take a big effort from everyone but we have the backing of tremendous supporters who know what we are trying to do and where we are trying to get to.”
Neath coach Gareth Llewellyn (himself a Welsh All Blacks captain for some seven seasons) said, “Jordan has already shown himself to be an excellent leader. He is a rapidly developing captain in a rapidly developing team.
“He never misses a training session and sets a tremendous personal example to those around him on and off the field.
“His own game came on well last year and I can see him now charging away for that try in the win against Aberavon at The Gnoll.
“Our pack began to get to grips with the Division last season and, under Jordan’s leadership, we are looking to improve again.
“Jordan has always been central to our plans – he is a Neath man through and through, his family are from Neath and very supportive of him and he will be at the heart of our collective effort to keep the Club heading back on track.”