Again, Neath ring the changes as the coaching team continue to look at different combinations. Behind the scrum, top try-scorer Kristian Phillips and Gareth McCarthy return while up front Andy Littlehales, Neil Edwards, John Bowd and Craig Price start. Ospreys hooker Ed Shervington, hoping for his 49th appearance for Neath, is named on a strong bench that also features captain Arwel Thomas.
"We had our chances to win at Cardiff and it was heart-breaking to lose in that manner. But that is behind us now and we must get back to winning ways against Ebbw Vale.
"The boys are really looking forward to running out at The Gnoll for the first time this season. It will be a big day too for two of our coaches Leigh Davies and Steve Williams as it will be their first competitive game back at their old hunting ground.
"The squad is really enthused by the prospect and, with the weather set fair and season ticket sales on the up, there should be a good crowd at The Gnoll. Our supporters are really looking forward to the first Gnoll occasion of the season but Ebbw Vale will delight in being party-poopers - if we let them.
"Having coached at Ebbw Vale myself, I know that they will not be lacking competitive spirit. They have an excellent back-row and some very good players throughout their line-up - and they won at The Gnoll last year.
"Although Ebbw Vale ultimately conceded 4 tries and lost 3-28 to Pontypridd last week, it was 3-3 at half-time and Ebbw Vale defended well until then. Due to their midweek inactivity, they will have the advantage over us of more rest and preparation time which their coaches Matthew McCarthy and Chris Loader will have put to good use."
Neath 15 K.Morgan; 14 K.James, 13 G.King, 12 L.Ford, 11 K.Phillips; 10 G.McCarthy, 9 K.Farrell (captain); 1 M.Jones, 2 A.Littlehales, 3 A.V.Lott; 4 E.Evans, 5 N.Edwards; 6 J.Bowd,
8 N.Thomas, 7 C.Price
Replacements - A.Thomas, T.James, E.Shervington, J.Reeves, P.Sidoli, L.Evans, G.Gravell
