Neath well aware of Munster challenge

Neath coach Lyn Jones today underlined the size of his team's task as they prepare for Celtic League final battle with Alan Gaffney…

Neath coach Lyn Jones today underlined the size of his team's task as they prepare for Celtic League final battle with Alan Gaffney's Munster.

A crowd of around 35,000 is expected at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow, with Neath looking to give Welsh rugby a much-needed lift by securing silverware and ensuring that Munster finish runners-up for the second successive season.

"It is a huge occasion," said Jones. "As a club, we have already done well in getting to the final. At the start of the season, we set ourselves targets in respect of the Celtic and European competitions, and we have achieved what we set out to do in the Celtic League.

"We have gained experience of playing in domestic cup finals against Pontypridd in 1996 and Newport two seasons ago, and on Saturday we will again go into battle.

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"There is no doubt that we have a squad that can win the competition, but it will be down to who performs on the day. One thing is sure - the harder we work, the luckier we will be," Jones said.

"We have worked hard since the old Neath club hit difficulties in 1997 to get a team of substance, and we have a tremendous expectation in the town that we will win things. We now have a club that is capable of competing, and we have to prove it on Saturday".

Despite the final being played in Wales, Neath will be huge underdogs, especially given Munster's latest performance - a crushing 33-6 Heineken Cup defeat of runaway Zurich Premiership leaders Gloucester.

"Munster are a physically huge team, full of internationals," Jones added. "When we played them earlier in the season, we were impressed as to how well they did the basics - in scrums, lineouts and in respect of their kicking game.

"They are capable of winning close matches, always move forward, and can hold onto the ball for five or six phases. They always believe they are going to win, and we must get over this," the Neath coach said.

"Our starting XV is as good as theirs, but the benefit a provincial side has is that it can bring international players on from the bench".