Neath RFC prepare for tough fixtures with Cross Keys

Neath RFC coach Pat Horgan believes his team is in for a tough two weeks as they take on Cross Keys twice at home – with long-term injuries yet to recover and no competitive rugby for three weeks for his side.

The first meeting is this Friday in the Principality Premiership (kick-off 7.15pm), before eight days later the two sides meet again in the Swalec Cup.

Cross Keys sit third in the table, and Neath know they will need to perform well if they are to halt their current good run of form.

“It’s always tough against Cross Keys,” said Horgan. “We’ve had two good wins recently which is great, but we’ll be facing very tough opposition on Friday.”

As mentioned, Neath haven’t played a competitive game in three weeks after having a bye in the first round of the Cup. But they come into game following a 35-22 victory over Stirling County in the British and Irish Cup then a 40-7 friendly win against Aberavon Greenstars last week.

Horgan continued: “We’ve had the same boys playing week in week out and they’ve been working hard. They’ve had a bit of recovery time since our last game and we had a friendly last week to brush off some of the cobwebs. We’ve now got to crack on for the rest of the season.

“We’d love to have a good run in the Cup. We’re under no illusion that Cross Keys are current holders and they’re a very good side.

“It’s a tough draw for us. It might have been nice to have a smaller side at home, but if you want to win the Cup you have to beat the best somewhere along the line.”

Horgan went on to say that none of the long-term injury problems within the squad were set to return on Friday, adding: “It’s not getting any easier. We’ve a bare 22 players at the moment, and we may have to permit one or two in this week. We’ll see now what comes on Friday night in the Premiership, then we can really focus on the Saturday after and hopefully have a good run in the Cup.”