Glasgow Caledonians face the first real test of their Welsh/ Scottish League worthiness tonight at Hughenden (kick-off 7pm) where they take on Neath, the popularly named Welsh All Blacks, and one of the traditionally strong clubs in Wales.
The Reds, of course, proved their ability to win at home last Sunday with victory over newly promoted Cross Keys, but however charitable one may wish to be, the boys from Pandy Park hardly represent the benchmark against which the Reds should measure themselves.
''Neath will be a stiff test for us at home,'' conceded Richie Dixon, the Reds coach, who believes the scoreline against Bridgend on Tuesday night did little justice to his side's commitment.
''We were, perhaps, a little benevolent to them, but the scoreline didn't reflect the effort we put into the game. Unfortunately, we are still allowing lapses of concentration to occur and, as a result, we're shooting ourselves in the foot,'' added Dixon.
The Reds may be helped by a better public disposition towards superdistrict rugby following the Reivers turnaround in fortune on Wednesday night at Netherdale where they defeated Llanelli. ''It was an excellent reposte by the Reivers after what happened in Cardiff,'' said, Dixon who watched the match at Netherdale.
Whether the Reds can draw inspiration from the Reivers' performance remains to be seen, but what is certain is that they now know the level of commitment required to take on Welsh club sides.
For the match tonight, Scotland cap Graeme Beveridge returns at scrum half for the Reds after recovering from a back injury and will partner Mark Mackenzie in a half back partnership that operated successfully for Scotland A in the latter part of last season's Six Nations' Championship.
Mackenzie, who played at full back against Bridgend on Tuesday, takes over from the injured Tommy Hayes, the latter sidelined because of a back injury.
The resultant reshuffle means that Rowen Shepherd resumes duty in his old international position of full back.
The other change in the side is at blindside flanker. Roland Reid, who scored three tries against Cross Keys on Sunday and one at Bridgend, has a knee injury and his place goes to Gareth Flockhart.
In common with all teams in this tightly scheduled Welsh/Scottish league, Neath have an injury list with which to contend, the current crop of casualties including their 'Wales' international flanker Brett Sinkinson, and lock forward Shaun van Rensburg.
Even so, the Neath squad represents formidable opposition by any standard, with outstanding players at wing and full back, where the trio of Williams' - Darril the former Wales and full back acquired this season from Llanelli, Delme and Shane - form the quickest back three in Welsh club rugby.
Neath's league record may not appear too impressive this season, with just one win - a home victory against Pontypridd - in three games, but the Welsh All Blacks came desperately close to toppling mighty Cardiff, losing to the league leaders at the Arms Park by a score in the last minute of play, and then experienced a similar kind of defeat against Newport at Rodney Parade.
Spokesman Mike Cuddy believes that the Reds will be much more difficult opponents at home. ''They've not had very good results this season, but they'll be difficult on their own patch.
''Any team coming to Glasgow from Wales has to contend with the travelling. I feel sorry for the Reds. I wouldn't like to be travelling by bus to Wales every second weekend,'' said Cuddy, who believes that the current league is unsatisfactory. ''Basically there are too many sides in the league. That's why we've got this crazy situation of playing three games in six days. To be honest, we could do without Caerphilly and Cross Keys. Who wants to play Cross Keys anyway?'' queried Cuddy.
Glasgow Caledonians - R Shepherd; J Steel, A Bulloch, J Stuart, J Craig; M McKenzie, G Beveridge; D Hilton, G Bulloch (captain), G McIlwham, S Griffiths, J White, G Flockhart, J Petrie, G Simpson. Replacements - G Scott L Harrison, S Campbell, M Waite, C Black, I Jardine, B Irving.
Neath - Darril Williams; Delme Williams, D Tuieti, T Davies, S Williams; J Brown, P Horgan; D Jones, M Davies, A Millward, S Martin, G Llewellyn. Back row from - R Francis, A Jackson, R Phillips, S Tandy, K Tuipulotu. Replacements - A Howells, G John, P James.
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