Head-to-head, the Welsh All Blacks might lead the 38 match series between the two team clubs in the Welsh National League, but the odds are stacked heavily in favour of the Wizards adding to their 12 wins to date given the plight of their near neighbours.
On top of that, injuries have ravaged what remains of the Neath squad. They will go into the game anchored firmly to the bottom of the Principality Premiership and still reeling from their 78-5 hammering at Bridgend last weekend.
“The majority of our remaining players are now injured so it looks as if 17 of our 24 man squad will be on permit. In fact, we are thinking of asking them to wear club socks to aid identification like the Barbarians,” said Neath secretary, Mike Price.
“It is an intolerable situation for the club to find itself subjected to after 147 years – 154 years for the purists – of rugby achievement. It cannot continue for much longer before the relevant authorities take action.
“Hats off to captain Aaron Bramwell and Pat Horgan for again bringing the side together and, if there is a silver lining to our current predicament, it is that it has thrown up one or two gems for the future of Neath RFC when we come through it.
“Our supporters, while totally behind the lads who are on the park, are heart-broken and understandably very, very angry. I just hope that followers of both clubs are appreciative of everyone’s efforts in what is a unique situation which no club should endure and we must hope that common sense prevails in 2019.”
The Wizards were held to a 14-14 draw at home by Ebbw Vale last weekend and head coach Jason Hyatt will be demanding the full five points against a team that has won only once to date the season. Despite Neath’s problems, Hyatt will know his side can take nothing for granted.
Bedwas will host Ebbw Vale (2.30pm kick-off Live on BBC Wales) in the other Boxing Day fixture in the Principality Premiership. Head coach Stefan Sankala knows that a win could lift them out of the relegation zone.
“We’re at home again and we’ve taken a lot of confidence out of the Merthyr match. Hopefully, it will be the spark for us to go on a winning run in 2019,” said Sankala after his side’s 26-20 defeat to the champions last weekend.
“We need to take heart from that performance and if we can repeat the things we showed against Merthyr, I think we can give Ebbw Vale a really good game on Boxing Day.
“The endeavour, attitude and intent to play was there and I was really pleased with our approach against the best team in the league, even when we were down to 14 men.”
Boxing Day Teams
Bedwas v Ebbw Vale
Bedwas: Joe Scrivens; George Gasson, Tom Hoppe, Adam Williams, Kane Teear-Bourge; Dion McIntosh, Tom Rowlands; Brynley Toms, Mike Dacey, Rhys Hutcherson, Craig Hudd, Gareth Allen, Bradley Hill, Jonathan Armitage, Dale Rogers(captain)
Reps: Ramaz Rukhadze, Chris Budgen, Phil Williams, Kieron Hughes, Dan Crimmins, Rory Harries, Ben White, Callum Williams
Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond; Steffan Thomas, Carl Meyer, Aneurin Owen, Toby Fricker; Rhys Jones, Dai Jones; Luke Garrett, Rhys Francis, Rob Sevenoaks, Rhys Clarke, Ashley Sweet (captain), Cameron Regan, Lloyd Evans, Lewis Young
Reps: Joe Franchi, Ross Jones, Chris Coleman, Kristian Parker, Jonathan Davies, Owen Young, Matthew Flanagan, James Lewis
Aberavon v Neath
Aberavon: Chris Banfield; Frankie Jones, Will Price, Rheon James, Stef Andrews; James Garland (capt), Rhodri Cole; Jordan Walters, Ieuan Davies, Rhys Henry, Luke Joseph, Rhodri Hughes, Lee Purnell, Andrew Waite, Jac Morgan
Reps: Iwan Temblett, Liam Popham, Joe Gage, Cameron Lewis, Jacob Blackmore, Ashton Evans, Rowan Jenkins, Chris Davies
Neath: Callum Hall; James Roberts, Aaron Bramwell (captain), Gavin Evans, Alec Jenkins; Lewis Humphreys, Morgan Evans; Jonny Gethin, Sion Crocker, Ben Uphill, Scott Davies, Rhys Morgan; 6 Craig Hill, Thomas Jevons, Alun Jones
Rep: Connah Vaughan, Kieran Griffiths, Scott Hoskins, Ioan Jones, Ceri White, Dyfan Ceredig, Nathan Griffiths, Jon Bayliss
