With Lyn Jones in place as head coach for the start of the 2018-19 campaign, new signings announced and further arrivals planned, Neath are hoping for a bright future.
The Gnoll outfit remain bottom of the Premiership table, but their 17-7 victory over rivals Swansea last week has given them priceless confidence ahead of Saturday’s trip to Llanelli.
“Planning for next season started two months ago and the owner Mike Cuddy has already shown that by bringing Lyn into place,” said Neath general manager Will Thomas.
“The club were concerned about some of the results this season because we were losing heavily to teams around us and at home too.
“Lyn has been working with us already and he is an outstanding coach, up there with Dale McIntosh and Euros Evans as the best in the Premiership in my view.
“I had no doubt Lyn would be able to turn results around and hopefully the win over Swansea can be the start of something.”
This season’s Premiership is ring-fenced, meaning Neath can’t be relegated despite their current position at the bottom of the pile.
But at the end of the next campaign, the division will be cut from 16 teams to 12 and Neath are well aware they needed to act.
Scarlets legend Regan King has signed on for next season, as have former Wales junior internationals Luke Garrett and Scott Andrews.
“The signings of Regan, Luke and Scott are a big boost for us because all three have experience of professional environments and we realised we needed more leaders to drive standards,” Thomas said.
“There are more signings in the offering and if we can get those on board, then hopefully we can improve because it’s a pivotal year next year.
“Swansea was a big win for us because they are a team near us in the table and it was away from home.
“They only looked like scoring from penalty tries at scrum time and we know we are weak in that area this season, that’s why we’ve identified the need to bring in new front five players.
“Our defence and attitude was very good though which bodes well and our attack looked dangerous. Now we’re looking forward to facing Llanelli.”
Neath’s trip to Llanelli forms part of a full round of Premiership fixtures.
Leaders Merthyr travel to Swansea, RGC 1404 are at home to Bedwas in Colwyn Bay and Evans’ Llandovery welcome Bridgend to Church Bank.
Elsewhere, Aberavon and Pontypridd meet at Talbot Athletic Ground, Bargoed face Ebbw Vale and Welsh Cup finalists Newport are at Carmarthen Quins.
The final game sees Cardiff travel to Pandy Park to face Cross Keys.
Neath hope a second victory in as many weeks can be the start of better things to come.
“Lyn has gone back to Namibia so Paul Williams will be in charge till the end of the season,” said Thomas.
“We’re very proud of wanting to get as many results as we can in the rest of this season, but we want to be in the top four next year.
“If we can pull off the signings we have planned and with Lyn as coach, we can do that. We won’t have any excuses.”
Principality Premiership fixtures – April 14
Aberavon vs Pontypridd (KO 2.30pm)
Bargoed vs Ebbw Vale (KO 2.30pm)
Carmarthen Quins vs Newport (KO 2.30pm)
Cross Keys vs Cardiff (KO 2.30pm)
Llandovery vs Bridgend (KO 2.30pm)
Llanelli vs Neath (KO 2.30pm)
Swansea vs Merthyr (KO 2.30pm)
RGC 1404 vs Bedwas (KO 4pm)
