Neath RFC v Pontypool RFC

Head coach Leighton Jones is expecting a tough battle when he takes his squad west to take on familiar foes Neath.

The two clubs have forged a strong rivalry in recent years and have taken their battles from the National Championship to the Indigo Premiership.

The pair have had differing fortunes since earning promotion last summer with Pooler still in contention for a play-off place while the Welsh All Blacks currently prop up the table.

However, Jones has warned his players that they will have to be at their best to get a positive result at The Lextan Gnoll.

Neath pushed Pooler all the way in the reverse fixture this season and Jones is aware of the defiant mood the club will be in following the departures of Pat Horgan, Andrew Howell and Aaron Bramwell and a strong performance against title-chasing Newport.

“Both clubs have big histories and over the last couple of years we’ve played some big games against Neath,” said Jones.

“They’ve pushed us all the way in all the games and turned us over on their own patch.

“Things have gone on down there, which normally resurges a team so we know we’ve got a big test on our hands.

“Neath played Newport last week and there was only seven points in the game.

“Newport are above us and second in the league so that shows that anyone can beat anyone in this league and if we don’t look after ourselves and what we’ve got to deliver then Neath can turn us over, and anyone else, on their day on their pitch.

“They kept fighting [in the reverse fixture].

“That’s testament to the squad and character they have at Neath with the coaches at the time.

“We had a lead and we didn’t really respect the lead and they came back and showed us what they are made of.

“They don’t give up and arguably could have turned us over.

“We know it will take 80 minutes down there and that is what we have to deliver, not 40 minutes.”

Jones has challenged his side to make a fast start this weekend following a series of first halves that have allowed the opposition to build big leads.

“We’ve looked at the Llandovery game and identified in quite a few of the games we have lost this season that we’ve been chasing the game so we have tried to change things up in training and getting into the players’ mindset that starting this game is key," he added.

“I think most of the games we have lost we have chased a big lead so going down to Neath we definitely have to be on the metal before the whistle starts.

“We always take it game by game but as a squad the last week and this week we have focused on our environment and what we are about.

“As always, especially more so now heading into next season and the EDC, we’ve got a big focus on enjoying ourselves as a group for the next six games.

“We’ve probably exceeded most people’s expectations this year but this is about us as a group – the players, the coaches and the management – together really enjoying these last six games against big teams and some fierce rivals.”