THE FRIDAY RUGBY PREVIEW:
Newcastle Emlyn coach Marc Lloyd has made a few changes to his side ahead of the championship game tomorrow against Glamorgan Wanderers at the Memorial Ground.
Charismatic full back Shaun Leonard moves over to centre alongside Tomi Jones to make way for debutant full back James Owens and former Cardigan Town footballer John Lumb gets his first league start on the left wing. There is also place on the bench for talented playmaker Rhys Davies who can cover a number of positions.
Up front Neil Elworthy takes over from Gethin Davies at tight head , Dan Havard comes in at second row alongside Ryan Morgans and Mike Jones who made a significant contribution when he came on as replacement last Saturday slots in at scrum half. The combination of Jones and new fly half Nico Setaro promises to be an exciting one with the latter showing some superb touches last week on his debut and he will get better as he settles in.
The Wanderers drew their opening game 6-6 away at Bedlinog and they have made some changes to their team this week with Welsh under 18’s cap James Botham, son of cricket legend Sir Ian Botham packing down at number eight, along side powerful blind side Ross Gibbon who was man of the match against Bedlinog.
Lock Tom Penry Ellis returns from injury and hooker Aaron Fowler, a former Merthyr and Pontypridd player and a Welsh Universities cap leads the side.
A big blow though for the hosts is the loss of talented former Cardiff Blues and Connaught full back James Loxton who is a non starter after picking up a broke nose against Bedlinog after getting clobbered fielding a high ball and the Wanderers have been forced to draft in Callum Bricknell.
Young stand off Luke Fish also comes in for his first game in the blue and white strip in place of Ben White who was outstanding last weekend and he will be sorely missed.
Another tough game for the red and whites as they go in search of their opening win but there really is no let up in this highly competitive division with so many good sides and all capable of beating each other.
The red and whites though will travel to Ely in a confident mood and eager to bounce back following a narrow defeat last time out and this battle at the ‘Memorial’ promises to be an intriguing one.
Newcastle Emlyn team v Glamorgan Wanderers (2.30 ko)
1.Dai Jones
2. Tom Curry
3. Neil Elworthy
4. Ryan Morgans
5. Daniel Havard
6. Joel James
7. Owain Powell (c)
8. Brynmor Jones
9. Mike Jones
10. Nico Setaro
11. John Lumb
12. Tomi Jones
13. Shaun Leonard
14. Llyr Jones
15. James Owens
- Emrys Davies
- Gethin Davies
- Rhys Davies
- Gareth Thomson
- Dafydd Evans
Emlyn Dreigiau were due to play Aberaeron as part of the new WRU Division 3C pilot scheme but the seasiders have pulled out of this fixture. Emlyn now travel south over the border to take on Crymych 2nds in a re-arranged friendly.
