Neath break new ground when they travel to play Newport at Newport Stadium on Friday evening (kick off 7.15pm).

In the 150 years or so history of the fixture, all Neath’s previous visits to the town, now city, took place at Rodney Parade – alas those days are gone but Newport remain one of the form club sides in Wales and there is no doubt that this will be one of Neath’s toughest challenges of the season.

Following last Saturday’s 23-32 defeat at Bridgend, Neath’s coaching reins have been taken up by Tim Ryan and skipper Ryan Evans.

The starting line-up shows several squad changes. Only alterations behind are in the back three where Steff Williams comes in at full back with fit-again Jon Bayliss and young Bryncoch wing Khalifa Al Maflahi debuting on the wing. Ryan Evans and Sean Wilcox continue at centre while Kristian Jones and Gruff Williams are again paired at half-back.

Up front, Mason Morgan and Elis Hopkins prop Chris Morris with the ever-dependable Jacob Blackmore locking alongside Matthew Davies. The back row of Taine Morgan, Morgan Kneath and Ben Williams is unchanged.

Neath v Newport (Away)

15 Steff Williams; 14 Jon Bayliss, 13 Ryan Evans (captain), 12 Sean Wilcox, 11 Khalifa Al Maflahi; 10 Kristian Jones, 9 Gruff Williams; 1 Mason Morgan, 2 Chris Morris, 3  Elis Hopkins; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Jacob Blackmore; 6 Taine Morgan, 8 Morgan Kneath, 7 Ben Williams

Replacements – 16 Evan Kneath, 17 Jack Powell, 18 Tarik Dabeh, 19 Cai Arnold, 20 Gethin Tremlett, 21 Ellis Lewis, 22 Kieran Charles, 23 Louis Rees

Travelling Reserves – Llewellyn Hawkes, Morgan Thomas

PRE-MATCH

The clubhouse at Newport Cricket Club will be open from 5pm on Friday. Food and drink available.
The clubhouse is adjacent to Newport Stadium.
All welcome.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday     March 23     Pontypool                                      Home          2.30pm

Saturday     April    6     Newport                                       Home          2.30pm

Saturday     April  13     Swansea                                       Away          2.30pm

Saturday     April 20     RGC                                              Home          2.30pm

Saturday     April  27     Carmarthen Quins                          Away          2.30pm