The 46-26 defeat at Parc y Scarlets at least saw the All Whites pick up a try bonus point as they provided four of the 10 tries in the match. They will have to tighten up on the defence when they welcome the current table-topping Wizards, who notched seven tries.
It’s a game that will see Wales U20 outside half Dan Edwards face the club for whom he played with such distinction last season. He will find himself going head-to-head at No 10 with his experienced replacement, Rhys Jones.
“The energy is really high among the squad. We’ve changed a lot in our style and we’ve brought in Chris Davies to look after attack and defence,” said Wizards head coach Jason Hyatt.
“Liam Seaward and Rhys Jones have made a difference at half back and Gabe Lacey and Brad Roderick have settled in very well in what is a potent back line. Then Dan Baker has added some real grunt to the pack.
“We’ve got the best props and hookers in the Premiership and our back five has a great work ethic. We were winning a lot of penalties from scrums last season and that allowed us to kick to the corner and get some driving line-outs going.
“We’ve kept that powerful edge up front, but this year we’ve got a bit more flair behind.”
Last season the Whites finished 10th after winning only three of their 11 games and Gustafson will be hoping to kick-off the club’s celebratory year with a first home win. The two teams are tied on 18 wins from their previous Premiership encounters and there is little doubt Aberavon will go into the televised game as favourites.
With Wales U20 caps Harri Houston, Dan Edwards and Iestyn Hopkins behind their own scrum, Swansea also have some real fire-power of their own and have James Hook working with the back line.
“It’s a big year for the club and there has been a lot of investment. There is still kudos playing for Swansea and our style remains the same as it has been down the years,” said Gustafson.
“We want to play a brand of rugby that helps players like Harri, Dan and Iestyn Houston to progress towards full-time professional contracts with the Ospryes. The Premiership is where they learn from their mistakes.
“We haven’t won much silverware for a while at the club, but seeing players like Dewi Lake, Morgan Morris, Will Griffiths, Max Nagi and James Ratti progressing into the Ospreys and Welsh ranks is our big reward.
“We have one of the smallest budgets in the Premiership and we played 81 players with an average age U23 last season. With our new partnership with the Ospreys, the goal this season is to become more competitive, continue with our developmental work and have some fun.”
Swansea: Harri Houston; Llien Morgan, Willem Dirksen, Daniel O’Sullivan-Wright, Gareth Rees; James Davies, Connor Tantum; Tom Sloane (captain), AN Other, Richard Murphy, Lewis Marsh, Lewis Jones, Jamie Williams, Callum Bowden, Cai Davies
Reps: Owen Thomas, Cameron Jones, Scott Jenkins, Ben Gregory, Jonathan Fox, Harvey Nash, Liam Popham, Matthew Jenkins
Aberavon: Jonathan Phillips; Frankie Jones, Joe Thomas, Joe Gage, Stefan Andrews; Rhys Jones, Iwan Temblett; Rhys Fawcett, Luke Davies, Geraint James, Shay Smallman, Rhodri Hughes, Ashton Evans, Joe Tomalin-Reeves (captain), Dan Baker
Reps: Chris Davies, Rowan Jenkins Andrew Waite, Rhodri Cole, Aled Thomas, Bradley Roderick, Cameron Lewis
Dewi Phillips is the referee for a game that is being shown live on S4C Clic (S4C Clic player, S4C Facebook Live page and S4C YouTube page).
Welsh – https://youtu.be/5SlDOcECkn8
English – https://youtu.be/iwcsBqiUMT8
