“With our chairman Geraint Hawkes giving advance notice of his desire to stand down for business reasons and the defeat by Carmarthen Quins, we have not had the greatest of weeks,” admitted Horgan.
“Geraint has led the Neath club through some wonderful times and to some really memorable achievements. The best response from supporters is to show their appreciation for all he’s done by coming along on Saturday for what should be a cracker of a game between two of the top sides.
“Despite our problems this season, the core of the squad have just shrugged their shoulders, pulled up their shirt-sleeves and performed to a standard which I don’t believe any other club in the Division could have matched.
“Llandovery have been going well this season, they comfortably beat Aberavon last week and won at Carmarthen Quins over Christmas which is a measure of where they are. No team tops this League by accident as it takes a lot of winning. It’s a real top of the table clash and a win will put us right back on track.”
The Welsh All Blacks delay finalising their threequarter line due to injuries although Gareth King may make his long-awaited return – he has yet to play this season after being injured in the Middlesex Sevens last August.
Up front, Adam Powell is fit again to resume at No.8 and there is a first start for Merthyr flanker Matthew Rees who has impressed in a couple of appearances as replacement.
Neath From A.Jenkins, G.King, K.James, D.Evans, N.Brew, A.Bramwell, Jamie Davies; D.Langdon, C.Morgans; N.Downs, A.Littlehales, T.Price; E.Evans, J.Griffiths; G.Gravell (captain), A.Powell, M.Rees
Llandovery 15 Lee Rees 14 Jake Randall 13 Matthew Jacobs 12 Adam Warren 11 Sam Soul 10 James Garland 9Rob Walters; 8 Luke Kendall 7 Nio Aiono 6 Phil Day 5 Matthew Harbut 4 Shaun Jones 3 Dean Howells 2 Emyr Phillips (Captain)1 Dorian Williams.
Replacements: 16 Wyn Jones 17 Adam Yelland 18 Gyles Vaughan 19 Shaun Miles 20 Paul Davies 21 Jack Roberts 22 Cerith Rees
