We must do better, insists Neath chief Horgan

NEATH coach Patrick Horgan is looking for a big improvement from his side when they face Cardiff at The Gnoll tomorrow (1.15pm).

The Welsh All Blacks did just enough to see off Bridgend Athletic in the Swalec Cup last Saturday, turning a 14-3 half-time deficit into a 20-14 win after the break.

That earned them a quarter-final tie against Pontypridd next month but Horgan knows that Neath’s league priorities come first and that means beating Cardiff and going top of the Premiership table.

Neath’s injury worries are beginning to ease with scrum-half Tom James back on the bench after knee surgery though they have yet to settle on who will play at fly-half. Strikepower is added by the return of wingers Jamie Davies and try-machine Kevin James, back following suspension.

Horgan is fully focused on this weekend’s clash and is putting the visit of Pontypridd in the cup to one side for now.

“We are not thinking that far ahead – the visit of Cardiff is the only thing on our minds,” he said. “Bridgend Athletic was a gluepot of a pitch but really we can consider ourselves very fortunate to have got through to the next round and we are looking for a massive improvement against Cardiff.

“Cardiff are also through to the last eight of the cup, they have a few players back from Wales Sevens and always pose a threat so we need to step up big-time.

“We will be boosted by the return of a couple of key players and the possibility of going top again is an obvious motivation.”

Meanwhile, scrum-half Gareth Williams has been released from the Pontypridd after making seven appearances this season, three of those as a replacement.