European Cup Preview: Neath RFC
By Large June 27 2002
Neath, who finished third in last season's Welsh-Scottish league, are tipped to do well in their national competition next season.
By Large June 27 2002
Neath, who finished third in last season's Welsh-Scottish league, are tipped to do well in their national competition next season.
The arrival of three high-profile signings in Andy Newman (Northampton Saints - lock), Adrian Durston (Bridgend - fullback/threequarter) and Hywel Jenkins (Swansea - no8) will help bolster a squad already boasting several big names in Welsh rugby circles.
Internationals Brett Sinkinson, Barry Williams, Duncan Jones and rejuvinated captain Gareth Llewellyn are the mainstays of a talented pack, while behind the scrum points machine Lee Jarvis and flyer Shane Williams are instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Also in a talented back division are James Storey (son of BBC Sports commentator Stuart) and Tongan Dave Tuieti who have formed a formidable centre partnership; Storey's flair and pace allied to Tiueti's brute strength nearly saw the side nick the league title from under the noses of the infamous "Gang of Six" clubs, but a last game defeat at Swansea meant that they left the door open for Llanelli and Newport to leapfrog them in the standings.
Despite being the team that won both inaugural cup (1972) and league (1991) competitons, Neath have not won any silverware since their last league triumph in 1996. And since the advent of European rugby, the side had to wait until November 2001 for their first away win (27-25 at Bourgoin). Despite challenging Bristol Shoguns for a place in the last eight of the European Shield last season, the infamous away form returned and their final game against Italians Arix Viadana ended in a disappointing 33-26 defeat and exit from the competition.
At their home ground The Gnoll, however, Neath are a completely different prospect. Last season only the two teams that finished above them in the league won (Newport and Llanelli) and the All Blacks inflicted defeat on Munster early on in the Celtic League campaign.
Maverick coach Lyn Jones (himself a Neath player for ten years or more) has turned a bunch of kids, has-beens and misfits into one of the smartest, most dangerous outfits in Welsh rugby and on their day, Neath can live with and beat the very best. Their undoing in the Heineken Cup 2002-03 will be their away form and to win at Beziers and Welford Road could be asking that bit too much.
Internationals Brett Sinkinson, Barry Williams, Duncan Jones and rejuvinated captain Gareth Llewellyn are the mainstays of a talented pack, while behind the scrum points machine Lee Jarvis and flyer Shane Williams are instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Also in a talented back division are James Storey (son of BBC Sports commentator Stuart) and Tongan Dave Tuieti who have formed a formidable centre partnership; Storey's flair and pace allied to Tiueti's brute strength nearly saw the side nick the league title from under the noses of the infamous "Gang of Six" clubs, but a last game defeat at Swansea meant that they left the door open for Llanelli and Newport to leapfrog them in the standings.
Despite being the team that won both inaugural cup (1972) and league (1991) competitons, Neath have not won any silverware since their last league triumph in 1996. And since the advent of European rugby, the side had to wait until November 2001 for their first away win (27-25 at Bourgoin). Despite challenging Bristol Shoguns for a place in the last eight of the European Shield last season, the infamous away form returned and their final game against Italians Arix Viadana ended in a disappointing 33-26 defeat and exit from the competition.
At their home ground The Gnoll, however, Neath are a completely different prospect. Last season only the two teams that finished above them in the league won (Newport and Llanelli) and the All Blacks inflicted defeat on Munster early on in the Celtic League campaign.
Maverick coach Lyn Jones (himself a Neath player for ten years or more) has turned a bunch of kids, has-beens and misfits into one of the smartest, most dangerous outfits in Welsh rugby and on their day, Neath can live with and beat the very best. Their undoing in the Heineken Cup 2002-03 will be their away form and to win at Beziers and Welford Road could be asking that bit too much.
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