Evans missed the Blacks’ loss at Cross Keys last week due with a dead leg but is hopeful of returning for this Saturday’s clash against the defending Premiership champions.
“I’m 90% certain that I’ll be fit,” he said.
“This is a game that I don’t want to miss. I always look forward to games against Ponty, especially at the Gnoll. It’s going to be tough as they’re unbeaten and we haven’t had the best of starts to the season but all the boys are up for it and they realise that if we win here, it could really turn our season around.
“Hopefully a few more of my injured team-mates will be back too which would be a bonus.”
Evans played for Ponty for five seasons before moving to Neath in 2008. He helped the side to Welsh Cup and Premiership Final wins in his first couple of years but now he admits the side are rebuilding for a stronger, brighter future.
The 30-year old is now one of the old guard and he says there’s nothing he’d like better than to help a new generation of players come through.
“It’s going to be a tough year for us,” Evans admits. “A lot of boys have moved on so it’s a chance for the youngsters to step up, make a name for themselves and make us a big team again.
“We looked at the video and stats from the Cross Keys game and even though we lost by a big score line, we actually had most of the play.
“I’ve never seen this before but against Cross Keys we only missed six tackles which is quite low in any game and they missed 24. It doesn’t really reflect the score and that it should have been more of a close game. The yellow cards didn’t help and we didn’t take our chances.
“It all comes with experience and the boys are learning all the time. There’s so much potential in the youngsters and if there’s anything people like Gareth Gravell and I can do to help them then we will.”
Evans says that his side do not fear Pontypridd and that a good performance in front of an electric Gnoll atmosphere could get them the win.
“Pontypridd have the biggest and best support in the league apart from ourselves, especially on the road,” he added. “It should be packed at the Gnoll, a brilliant atmosphere and it will really make it a game to watch.
“We just need to do our own jobs instead of thinking of a thousand jobs each and we’ll be fine. We know we can win, we just have to cut out the personal individual errors. We will put in maximum effort this week and if we don’t win, it won’t be for want of our efforts.”
Adult tickets for Neath v Pontypridd cost just £12 for the main stand or £10 for anywhere else in the ground. Children aged 16 and under are free of charge. The club are also selling hospitality at just £25 a head or just £15 for season ticket holders. Check out www.neathrugby.co.uk for more details.
