Neath play their final home game of the season when RGC visit The Lextan Gnoll on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm)and a large crowd is expected as it is Neath RFC’s End of Season party – a day for the whole community to enjoy.

Thanks to the generosity of two of Neath’s main sponsors, admission is FREE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN – all are welcome and this is a unique opportunity for new supporters – and lapsed followers – to link with the Club perhaps for the first time this season.

Neath RFC’s Matty Young said, “Neath RFC plays a massive part in the community and this is an event for all the family to enjoy with plenty of free entertainment and top-class rugby football.

“The weather is forecast to be warm and gates will be open at 12.30pm for a great family day out with bags of free entertainment including girls’ rugby featuring the Neath Panthers and a ‘food village’ offering local and international refreshments.

“It is also the perfect opportunity for the people of Neath to turn out and send a strong message to the WRU Panel that Neath RFC is alive and well.

“We will continue to develop rugby in the Town and, to assist, will be grateful if attendees would make a note donation and buy a programme on entry instead of paying admission.”

Neath won the reverse fixture 17-15 at Colwyn Bay so will be looking for a belated first double of the season but realise that the North Walians will be determined to gain revenge.

A measure of the Blacks’ improvement though is how disappointed everyone was not to win at Swansea last week on a day when RGC also lost – at home to Pontypridd.

13 tries in their last 4 fixtures (which have included two tilts at Premiership leaders Newport) speaks for the style of rugby that Neath are playing under new coaches Tim Ryan and Ryan Evans.

The Blacks suffered a few injuries late on against Swansea so there are changes in the starting line-up with James Roberts coming in on the wing. Up front, the pack is freshened up by the return of prop Jack Powell, lock Ioan Jones and Ben Williams who will play at No.8 while the replacements’ bench has yet to be finalised.

It will be a doubly-emotional day for two Neath RFC players who will no doubt be given a rousing reception.

James Roberts who has been beset by injuries this season is in line to make his 100th appearance after being stuck on 99 since before Christmas when he was an unused replacement in the Boxing Day win over Aberavon.

And hooker Sion Crocker who joined Neath in 2013 has announced his retirement after Saturday’s game. He is hanging up his boots after 226 appearances in the All Black shirt which he has worn with pride and distinction over the last decade plus.

Neath v RGC (Home)

15 Steff Williams; 14 James Roberts, 13 Sean Wilcox, 12 Kieran Charles, 11 Ryan Griffiths; 10 Kristian Jones, 9 Gruff Williams; 1 Jack Powell,  2 Sion Crocker  3  Elis Hopkins; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Ioan Jones; 6 Jacob Blackmore, 8 Ben Williams, 7 Gethin Tremlett

Replacements From – Chris Morris, Morgan Thomas, Mason Morgan, Ben Uphill, Fergus Kneath, Taine Morgan, Evan Kneath, Dyfan Ceredig, Brychan Wood, Iestyn Morgan, Jon Bayliss

Referee – Mr. Gareth Newman (Abergavenny)

Remaining Fixture

Saturday     April  27     Carmarthen Quins                          Away          2.30pm –

Supporter Information

GROUND ENTRY IS FREE – BRING FRIENDS & FAMILY AND SPREAD THE WORD !

• Gates at the Town End will open at 12.15pm
• Programmes on sale inside the gates (only £2)
• A full range of refreshments is available inside the ground
• For the comfort of spectators, no dogs allowed (other than sight-assisting), and there is no smoking or vaping inside ground.