WALES winger Shane Williams is just one of many Neath players and fans hoping namesake and Newport points machine Shane Howarth loses his battle to be fit for Sunday's Principality Cup final.

Neath are worried about Howarth's class and with the former New Zealand international doubtful to play against the Welsh All Blacks, Williams admitted he wouldn't be too disappointed if Howarth failed to make kick-off.

With Newport due to announce their side in the next 24 hours, many Gnoll fans will be keen to see whether youngster Scott Mitchell or Howarth is picked in the number ten jersey.

Having just signed a new contract with Neath, Williams is hoping to give the Gnoll faithful a cup final win before he jets off to Japan with the Wales squad later this month.

But he admits Howarth is one of just a few star names he and his team are hell-bent on stopping. Williams said: "Depending on Shane's injury, personally I wouldn't mind if he didn't play, he's one of their main threats.

"I've been with Neath now for three years and this is my biggest game, I'm thoroughly looking forward to it and if we play as well as we did against Swansea, we can beat Newport."