The Welsh All Blacks have been disrupted of late by a heavy crop of injuries and physiotherapist Mark (“Dot”) Perkins has been working overtime to repair the walking wounded.
AndNeath have named a preliminary squad from which the team will be finalised following training on Saturday afternoon. Added to the 22 who earned a well-deserved 19-10 win against Aberavon on Easter Monday are utility back Howard Thomas, wingers David Evans, centres Stephen Thomas and Dafydd Lockyer, outside-half Arwel Thomas, props Johnny Thomas and Andrew Howell, hooker Andy Littlehales and lock Haydn Pugh.
Director of Rugby Rowland Phillips said: “The control and discipline we showed in Monday’s 19-10 win over Aberavon was a big boost for players and supporters. It demonstrated the commitment and desire of this Neath team to bounce back. We will not finalise our side until training on Saturday when we will complete our preparations for what will be a very important game and, with players returning, we will be selecting from more strength.
“Swansea will have been disappointed by their midweek loss at Ebbw Vale but they showed their real capabilities in beating Llanelli on Good Friday – in a game that probably meant more to them. They have a lot of quality players and it always mystifies us that they don’t have a better League record.
“But the Cup is all about performing on the day and we must ensure that we are in the Aberavon mindset for this one.”
Neath v Swansea From
H.Thomas, G.King, K.James, D.Evans, 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, J.Thomas, A.James, G.Price, A.Littlehales; N.Edwards, E.Evans, H.Pugh, C.Ruddock, L.Evans, G.Gravell, L.Beach (captain), C.Price
