Due to injuries, the Welsh All Blacks have named a preliminary squad from which the team will be finalised following training today.
Included is try-scoring hooker Andy Littlehales, short of game time recently, who will help out Cross Keys on Saturday following an appeal from the Gwent club who have been plunged into a hooking crisis.
Neath’s Director of Rugby, Rowland Phillips, said: “Normally by now we would have a fair idea of our squad and starting line-up. However, given an unprecedented crop of injuries, we are some way off that. Weekend training will consolidate our preparations for what is one of the most keenly anticipated games in the calendar.
“Aberavon are the ‘form team’ of Welsh rugby with games in hand in the League and are also looking forward to their Cup semi-final next weekend. We will be looking for a massive improvement after the Ebbw Vale game.”
Spectators are asked to arrive early to avoid congestion at the gates for a fixture that traditionally attracts the Premiership’s biggest gate of the season.
Neath v Aberavon From H.Thomas, G.King, K.James, D.Evans, R.Smith, G.James, D.Lockyer, S.Thomas, W.Mitchell, L.Ford, M.James, A.Thomas, T.Knoyle, G.James, K.Farrell; A.Howell, N.Downs, C.Mitchell, M.Jones, A.James, G.Price, A.Littlehales; N.Edwards, E.Evans, C.Ruddock, L.Evans, G.Gravell, L.Beach (captain), C.Price, A.N.Other
