News on Signings 2004-5

Further News on Signings
From Newport RFC, Steve Martin (Second Row)
Steve was born in Neath, is 25 years old, stands at 6ft 5in, and weighs 18st. He has re-joined Neath on a two year contract, returning to the club after a season with Newport RFC

Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "It is great news to have Steve back at the club. We would have liked to have retained him last season but by the time we approached him he was under contract with Newport. Steve has great experience with Neath as a professional player, and like Brett Sinkinson last year, we expect him to help out with a specialist coaching role. Steve is a Neath man through and through, who will bring an additional element to the team and further strengthen the squad"

>From Neath Athletic RFC, Tom Smith (Back Row)
Tom was born in Bristol, although he has been brought up in the Neath area and his family is originally from Neath. He is 18 years old, stands at 6ft 2in, and weighs 16st. He has joined Neath on a two year contract. He has played for Welsh Youth and FIRA, and was rated most promising forward by the FIRA Wales management
Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Tom is an excellent prospect who has already attracted a huge amount of interest throughout Wales with his outstanding performances for the Wales Under-19 FIRA team. He is clearly one of the top players in his age group, and we will aim to help him fulfil his potential. We have confidence that he will come though and quickly make a mark in senior rugby"

Neath Rugby are pleased to be able to confirm the following 13 signings:
Backs
Gareth Morris - As Captain, Andrew Bishop, Mark Davies, Aled Brew, Nick Jones, Neil Clapham, James Hook, Martin Roberts, Forwards
Ian Evans, Lee Beech, Chris Gittins, Craig Mitchell, Gareth Williams.

A individual profile of most of the signings (together with the other squad members) can be viewed at the following link http://www.neathrfc.co.uk/squadlist.shtml

Comments from the Bench on each signing: -
>From The Ospreys, Gareth Morris (Full Back and Squad Captain for 2004/ 2005 season) Gareth was born in Neath, is 27 years old, stands at 5ft 10in, weighs 14st 7lb, and has joined Neath on a two year contract

Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "It is a big boost for Neath to have Gareth back on Board. His high standards are the ones we want all players to emulate. His fitness levels are exceptional, he is an accomplished player, and has huge experience at a high level with Neath and The Ospreys. He is eager for us to continue to be a successful club and his performance and leadership will be a major factor for us in achieving that success"

>From Pontypridd, Ian Evans (Second Row) Ian was born in South Africa, is 20 years old, stands at 6ft 7in, weighs 17st, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is a Wales Under-21 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Ian is only a youngster, but has already experienced international honours at Under-21 level. He has the physical stature to progress and I have no doubt he will make his mark in the senior game. He possesses all of the required skills and more for his position and we will look to develop him over the next year into a regional player"

>From Pontypridd, Lee Beech (Backrow) Lee was born in Ferndale, is 21 years old, stands at 6ft 2in, weighs 16st 7lbs, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is a Wales Under-21 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Lee impressed us last season when he was playing for Pontypridd. He played against us on three occasions, in three different back row positions, and on each occasion caused us no end of problems at the breakdown. He has a physical presence, is strong and fit, and I am sure playing for Neath will be a positive learning experience for him. I am sure he will consolidate his position in the senior game, and he clearly has the potential to develop himself into regional rugby with The Ospreys"

>From Bridgend, Andrew Bishop (Wing) Andrew was born in Llantrisant, is 18 years old, stands at 6ft, weighs 14st, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is a Wales Under-21 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Andrew is a highly rated, and extremely talented player. There is a huge expectation of him to achieve huge success over the next few years, and we expect to see him progress into regional rugby. He has pace, and excellent defence and a sound understanding of the game. He is physically and mentally mature beyond his years"

>From Aberavon, Chris Gittins (Second Row) Chris was born in Neath, is 28 years old, stands at 6ft 4in, and weighs 17st. He has joined Neath on a two year contract Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "With the departure of Mark Jones, we needed someone to add the experience required to help the younger players through match situations. Chris brings great experience, having captained Aberavon for the last two seasons. He is an accomplished second row, who will secure line out ball, and has a good all round technical appreciation. He will also give us the necessary physical presence in the front five"

>From Aberavon, Mark Davies (Scrum Half) Mark was born in Neath, is 24 years old, stands at 5ft 6in, and weighs 12st. He has joined Neath on a two year contract Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "We have been following Marks situation through last year. I was keen to bring Mark back to the Gnoll last season but he was under contract at Aberavon. Even though Mark is still fairly young he has great experience with Neath and Aberavon. He is a player who is comfortable in whatever style of play the game requires and will be a valuable squad member"

>From Neath Athletic, Aled Brew (Wing) Aled was born in Cardiff (and is the brother of Nathan Brew, who plays for The Gwent Dragons), is 18 years old, stands at 6ft, weighs 15st 7lbs, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is Wales a Under-19 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Aled is one of the rare breed of players who has a physical maturity and stature well beyond his age. He is physically strong, and the type of player who makes an impact with or without the ball. There is huge expectation of Aled and many people are tipping him to surpass his brothers achievements"

>From Tonna, Craig Mitchell (Prop) Craig was born in Neath, is 18 years old, stands at 6ft 1in, weighs 17st 3lbs, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is Wales Under-19 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "I have been very impressed with Craig. He has a first rate attitude and a will to succeed. He has a strong mental attitude and I am sure he has a big future ahead of him"

>From Narberth, Nick Jones (Wing/ Full back) Nick was born in Swansea, is 24 years old, stands at 6ft, weighs 14st 2lbs, and has joined Neath on a two year contract Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Nick is comfortable at wing or full back and I am sure will prove to be a valuable squad member. He has pace, sound vision and is a devastating player when put into space"

>From Llandovery, Neil Clapham (Outside Half/ Full back) Neil was born in Swansea, is 26 years old, stands at 5ft 10in, weighs 12st, and has joined Neath on a two year contract Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Neil was probably the player who caused Neath the most problems last season while playing for Llandovery. He is a confident player with ball in hand and keeps defences honest with his probing runs. He offers an all round game, being comfortable at outside half and full back. He is also a physically strong player who has a very "Neath" attitude to his rugby"

>From Corus RFC, James Hook (Outside Half) James was born in Neath, is 19 years old, stands at 6ft, weighs 12st 10lb, and has joined Neath on a two year contract Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "James is a youngster who shows a lot of the qualities Matthew Jones showed when he first joined Neath. He is very talented and sharp, whether putting people into space or taking on the opposition in one-on-one situations"

>From Resolven, Martin Roberts (Scrum Half) Martin was born in Aberdare, is 18 years old, stands at 5ft 9in, weighs 12st, and has joined Neath on a two year contract. He is a Wales Under-18 international Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Martin is a young scrum half, who has an exceptionally crisp passing game, also being particularly light and sharp on his feet. He will develop quickly under the guidance of our Assistant Coach, Patrick Horgan. He has proved himself internationally at under-18 level and we are looking forward to helping him transition into the senior game"

>From Whitland, Gareth Williams (Loose Head Prop) Gareth was born in Swansea, is 25 years old, stands at 5ft 10in, and weighs 16st 4lbs. He has joined Neath on a two year contract. Quote from Head Coach, Rowland Phillips: "Gareth was someone who impressed myself when we played Whitland in the Konica Minolta Cup last season. A key attribute in any player that a coach looks for is coachability, and Gareth has that in abundance. He is a player who always gives 100%, whether it is in relation to improving the technical or physical side of his game, and I am sure he will improve significantly as the season progresses"

Comment from Rowland Phillips on his objectives for Neath Rugby over the coming season:
"We have just completed the first month of pre-season training and there is no doubt that we have a significantly stronger squad than last season. Progress towards the initial targets set in terms of physical fitness, physical strength, mental strength and team building are all on track. The squad has a highly competitive attitude, but a strong team ethic is developing as we start to integrate the new faces. Our goals remain to maximise each players individual ability as well as ensuring we maximise the teams potential. Myself and Assistant Coach, Patrick Horgan, enjoyed last season, and it would be easy to be complacent. But there were elements of disappointment as we lost games I felt we shouldn't have. The overall plan is to improve collectively, and ensure we reward players, coaches, backroom staff, Directors and supporters with silverware at the end of the season"

We can confirm the following players have been released:
Mark Jones, Richard Morgan, Chris Anderson, Paul Bamsey, Steve Phillips, Anthony Edwards.