Neath play Merthyr at the Principality Stadium on Sunday (kick off 5.45pm) in the final of the WRU Premiership Cup which is the original Welsh Cup.

The team should be well supported as Neath sold out their allocation of tickets in under 4 hours – but latecomers should note that tickets will be available on the day at the Stadium.

Merthyr, beaten only once this season (by Neath as it happens), are red-hot favourites with Neath cast firmly in the role of underdogs.

The All Blacks have suffered a string of injuries and, with options reduced under cup regulations, make several changes from the side which started last week’s win at Llanelli Wanderers.

Luke Davies is at full back with Jon Bayliss and try-snatcher Kaden Davies on the wings while Aled Davies pairs up with Sean Wilcox at centre. Iestyn Morgan and Connor Tantum return at half-back.

Up front, the regular front row of Mason Morgan, Sion Jones and Marley Lovell is backed up by Matthew Davies and Jon Barley with Steff Lewis alongside skipper Ben Williams and Gethin Tremlett in the back row.

Several of the replacements can be considered unlucky not to be starting but nowadays rugby football in the Premiership is a 23-man game.

Front rowers Josh Jones, Kian Jones and Chris Thomas are backed up by back five specialists Josh Hughes, Jacob Blackmore and Casey Williams as well as backs Ki Morgan and  Llewellyn Hawkes.

Neath v Merthyr

15  Luke Davies; 14 Jon Bayliss, 13 Sean Wilcox, 12  Aled Davies, 11 Kaden Davies; 10 Iestyn Morgan, 9 Connor Tantum; 1 Mason Morgan, 2 Sion Jones, 3 Marley Lovell; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Jon Barley; 6 Steff Lewis, 8 Ben Williams (captain), 7  Gethin Tremlett

Replacements – 16 Kian Jones, 17 Josh Jones, 18 Chris Thomas, 19 Josh Hughes, 20 Jacob Blackmore, 21 Llewellyn Hawkes, 22  Casey Williams , 23 Ki Morgan

Referee – Mr. Gareth Newman (Abergavenny)

Neath RFC – Remaining Fixtures

Saturday     April  18  Cardiff Metropolitan                           Away         2.30pm

Saturday     April  25  Narberth                                            Away         2.30pm

Wednesday  April  29  Llangennech                                    Home        7.30pm

Saturday     May     9  Ystrad Rhondda                                Away         2.30pm