Following their fine 40-28 win at the previously unbeaten WRU Premiership champions Merthyr, Neath face another acid test when they travel to Ystrad Rhondda on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm).

Skipper Ben Williams and his team know that last week will count for nothing at what is likely to be a wet Gelligaled Park where Ystrad Rhondda are invariably a hard nut to crack.

Changes to the starting XV see former Glamorgan Wanderers captain Josh Male coming in at centre, Jacob Daniels returns at scrum-half and Steff Lewis switches to lock with Will Pope coming into the back row.

Neath v Ystrad Rhondda (Away)

15 Iestyn Morgan; 14 Morgan Meaclem, 13 Sean Wilcox, 12 Josh Male, 11 Jon Bayliss; 10 Paul Short, 9 Jacob Daniel; 1 Mason Morgan, 2 Kian Jones, 3 Marley Lovell; 4 Matthew Davies, 5 Steff Lewis; 6 Will Pope, 8 Ben Williams (captain) 7 Gethin Tremlett

Replacements  – 16 Thomas Richards, 17 Josh Jones, 18 A.N. Other, 19 Josh Hughes, 20 Casey Williams, 21 Connor Tantum, 22 Llewellyn Hawkes, 23 Cellan Davies

Referee – Mr. Max Clements (Hengoed)

Neath RFC – January Fixtures

Saturday    January 17   Brecon                         Home        2.30pm

Saturday    January 24   Llanelli Wanderers (Cup) Dunvant     2.00pm  (NOTE 2pm KO)

Saturday    January 31   Llangennech                   Home        2.30pm