Neath’s preparations for the new season step up a gear on Saturday when they resume cross-border hostilities with Moseley who always offer an uncompromising challenge on their own patch.

Last week, the Welsh All Blacks enjoyed themselves in the Maesteg sunshine as they ran out 45-5 winners over the Division 1 West hosts but Moseley will be a considerably tougher challenge at Billesley Common.

Neath change half the starting line-up which sees Ed Howley, Alec Jenkins and Dan Guarneri come into the back division. Up front, Neil White and Sion Crocker are in the front row while Leon Ward comes in at lock with Calum Davies in at No.8.

Coach Gareth Llewellyn said, “Maesteg was a useful first run out for us and a lot of the newcomers showed up well but Moseley, coached by my old team-mate Kevin Maggs, will be a much tougher proposition.

“We will be looking to continue building our patterns and developing our team play in the knowledge that we have just Moseley then Narberth next week before the Premiership proper gets underway.

Neath v Moseley (Away)
15 Ed Howley; 14 Alec Jenkins, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Matthew Pearce, 11 Aaron Grabham; 10 Iwan Evans, 9 Dan Guarneri; 1 Neil White, 2 Sion Crocker, 3 Ryan Thomas; 4 Leon Ward, 5 Jon Barley; 6 Charlie Davies, 7 Jordan Collier (captain), 8 Calum Davies

Replacements – 16 Matthew Jeffreys, 17 Aled Morris, 18 Ifan Phillips, 19 Matthew Davies, 20 Alun Jones, 21 Tom Sadler, 22 Rory Morgan-Williams, 23 Keiran Williams, 24 Gareth Morris