Having played for the Scarlets A in the Celtic Cup, Morgan gets his first start of the season for the Wizards as they seek to stay hot on the heels of table-topping Cardiff.
Aberavon’s unbeaten run came under huge threat at the home of champions Merthyr last week, but head coach Jason Hyatt said there was no panic when they changed ends 12 points down.
How right he was, because 19 unanswered points carried the Wizards to another major win and kept them hot on the heels of Indigo Group Premiership leaders Cardiff
The star of the show once again was Aled Thomas who, 10 years on from winning the Sevens Rugby World Cup with Wales, is still as sprightly as ever. His control from outside half, along with his deadly accurate boot, has been one of the major forces behind Aberavon’s winning streak.
“Like all our new signings this summer, Aled has been superb for us. When I met him I wanted to make sure he wasn’t just looking for a club to see out his playing days. He told me he still had more to give and he has proved that,” said Hyatt.
“We were probably guilty of overplaying James Garland last season and we wanted another option at No 10. James was out of action for three weeks last month because he got married, but we now have him back fully fit and raring to go.
“The playing environment at the club is superb at the moment. The players have worked hard all summer and they were able to hit back and win at Merthyr in a game in which the ball was in play for 38 minutes.
“That’s three league games in a row that we’ve beaten Merthyr and you have to match them physically to be able to do that. Now we are getting ready for a different sort of challenge this weekend against Llandovery.
“They have been one of the best footballing teams in the Premiership in recent seasons and we drew with them in a pre-season friendly. The weather is due to be pretty bad, but we know that won’t stop them from having a go.”
As well as having Maynard back in harness, Hyatt is also due to have Wales u20 back row star Jac Morgan available for the next two games. Morgan is now training full-time with the Scarlets and had a great campaign with the Scarlets A team in the Celtic cup.
“Jac is available to us this weekend and for another four games before Christmas. Then he goes into camp with Wales U20 for the Six Nations,” added Hyatt.
While the Wizards will have home advantage over the Drovers, table-topping Cardiff have a long trek north for the second time this season to face RGC 1404. They beat the Gogs 40-24 at Parc Eirias in the first round of the Specsavers Cup and will be hoping to make it five out of five in the Premiership to hold onto their two point lead at the top.
Bridgend will be hoping to get back to winning ways after their 40-16 mauling at Llandovery when they host Pontypridd. Carmarthen Quins welcome Swansea, while Ebbw Vale entertain Llanelli.
Newport will meet the champions, Merthyr, at Rodney Parade on Sunday. Head coach Dale McIntosh is due to be back from World Cup duty with Namibia and will no doubt be looking for a reaction to last week’s home defeat to Aberavon.
INDIGO GROUP PREMIERSHIP
Saturday, 26 October 2019
Aberavon v Llandovery
Bridgend v Pontypridd
Carmarthen Q v Swansea
Ebbw Vale v Llanelli
RGC 1404 v Cardiff
Sunday, 27 October 2019
Newport v Merthyr
