Neath coach Neil Edwards has announced his side, one which sees the return of fit-again Alec Jenkins and competitive debuts for full back Ceri Young and Wales Under 20 lock Jack Jones. Jordan Collier comes into the back-row after enjoying an impressive tour of South Africa with Wales Under 18.
Head coach Edwards said: “Llanelli will be a formidable challenge for an opening game. They have already qualified for the pool stages of the British & Irish Cup and seem to be including more Scarlets in their line-up this year.
“But we are looking to get our own performance right and it is good to have players like Ceri Young, Alec Jenkins, Jack Jones and Jordan Collier in the mix and pushing for selection.
Llanelli include second row Adam Powell as skipper and make five changes from the team that qualified for the British & Irish Cup away at Llandovery last Saturday.
Chris Keenan comes in for Nic Reynolds with Rhys Davies and Dafydd Lewis getting their Principality Premiership debuts at scrum half and the wing respectively. Wales Under 18 International Steffan Evans makes a switch from wing to full back.
Up front Nathan White joins his skipper at lock with Wales Sevens international Craig Price at No 8.
Neath: 15 Ceri Young 14 Alec Jenkins 13 J Smith 12 Adam Jones 11 Dale Ford 10 Dai Langdon (captain) 9 Josh Davies, 1 Roy Jones, 2 Sion Crocker, 3 Marc Jones; 4 Rhys Jones, 5 Jack Jones; 6 Gareth Bateman, 7 G Daniel, 8 J ordan Collier.
Replacements to be confirmed.
Llanelli 15 Steffan Evans 14 Dion Jones 13 Chris Keenan 12 Johnny Lewis 11 Dafydd Lewis 10 Josh Lewis 9 Rhys Davies; 1 Shaun Hopkins 2 Kirby Myhill 3 Rhodri Jones 4 Adam Powell (capt) 5 Nathan White 6 Stuart Leach 7 Duane Eager 8 Craig Price
Replacements: 16 Rhys Thomas 17 Darran Harris 18 Ben Leung 19 Emyr Williams 20 Dan Thomas 21 Jak Evans 22 James Griffiths 23 Gareth Walters.
