Llewellyn: Neath are ready to go

GARETH Llewellyn believes Neath’s summer recruitment campaign will allow them to climb out of the Principality Premiership basement and compete for a place in the top eight.

The competition has been expanded to 16 clubs for 2016-17 with the table being split in two at the half-way mark. Ex-Wales lock Llewellyn wants his side to reach the top half in order to once again challenge for a title they won five times between 2004-2010.

“We are ambitious and the goal is to be the best semi-pro club in Wales,” he said.

“Last season was really frustrating because I knew we were a much better side than the results we were getting. We know we have to tighten up our defence, but we’ve stiffened our front five and got some pace behind.

“We’ve turned over half a squad this summer, made some significant signings and we’re in a pretty good position with seven weeks to go.”