FRIDAY RUGBY PREVIEW
WRU Championship: Newcastle Emlyn v Narberth
Emlyn head coach Marc Lloyd has made a few changes for the championship derby game tomorrow against Narberth at Ddol Wiber and has rotated his squad with Joel James and Bedwyr Davies starting in the back row alongside number eight Luke Kendall who shifts over to replace Brynmor Jones who suffered a nasty blow to his shoulder last week against Wanderers.
Former Crymych second row Rhys Davies comes in for his first start and powerful tight head Gethin Davies returns alongside the impressive Tom Curry who has made an outstanding contribution to the season at hooker.
Mike Jones is chosen at inside half alongside Nico Setaro and this partnership is already flourishing whilst in midfield Tomi Jones, who was superb in defence at the Recreational Ground is joined by Rhys Shivone at outside centre. Shaun Leonard reverts to his usual position of full back and John Lumb who opened his account for Emlyn last week with a try plays on the left wing. Dylan Davies who can cover second row and back row gets a place on the bench after missing last week’s encounter.
The Otters opened their season with a 40-6 defeat at the hands of Pontypool and this really was the short straw to start the season as Ponty are probably the favourites to get out of the championship along with Tata Steel and they have recruited over a dozen new players.
Narberth managed to bounce back with a 35-17 win against Bedlinog last Saturday and coach Sean Gale and his troops will be more than keen to avenge a double defeat at the hands of the red and whites last term.
Alex Jenkins who forms a solid partnership with Jack Simms leads the team from second row and they have some talented players in centre Jack Price and fly half Jon Richards as well as winger Nick Gale and a hard working back row in Steff Phillips, James Bain and Joe Powell and they will come with plenty of confidence with the trip to Pontypool Park a distant memory.
The red and whites produced some brilliant rugby at the Wanderers with the quality of their rugby in the opening half hour as good or better than they have ever played and although they won’t be getting carried away they will be looking forward to this challenge and will take some beating.
Supporters at Ddol Wiber appear to be in for a treat tomorrow especially as the weather is set to be fine and this promises to be a cracker of a game.
