HEAD coach Greg Woods says the Cross Keys regulars have put the heat on the Newport Gwent Dragons players that will line up for the club against the Cornish Pirates this evening.

Eleven regional players are in the XV to face the English Championship side in a crunch encounter in Pool Four of the British and Irish Cup.

Keys have been on a fine run in the Principality Premiership with a fine draw at Llandovery sandwiched by wins against Llanelli and Carmarthen Quins.

Yet, as was agreed with the Dragons in the summer, the winning formula is changed for a return to the cross-border competition with just four players retained from the starting line-up that condemned the Quins to a first league defeat of the season.

Keys select an all-Dragons tight five with loosehead prop Owen Evans and locks Matthew Screech and Joe Davies set to make their club debuts.

"The boys that have been selected are under pressure," said Woods. "We've been going well, especially up front, and they have to produce the goods, simple as that.

"Whereas we started the tournament on the back of a bad to Ebbw Vale, this time we have had a good three weeks.

"We need to show the same commitment and energy as the boys did last week. The squad needs to deliver and they have a responsibility to the jersey and the club."

Keys have no margin for error against the Pirates after slipping to a 34-33 defeat at the Mennaye Field last month.

That came after a narrow loss to group leaders Doncaster and a dramatic late win at Bedford so another failure is likely to be terminal to their hopes of making the knockout stages.

"It's a huge game and a crucial one in the group, we have to make sure we are still in it next week (against Bedford at home)," said Woods.

"The first block of games has given us confidence because they were all tight games and we know that we are capable of qualifying.

"It's going to be a massive challenge against a huge Pirates pack but I expect us to stand up to them. We are home and have to deliver."

Simon Williams is preferred to Danny Hodge and Tom Lampard as second row cover on the bench and captain Leon Andrews is sidelined, meaning there are no survivors from the team that famously downed the Pirates 20-16 in the BIC semi-final in 2012.

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, A Hewitt, B Nightingale, P Uhi, N Trowbridge, A O'Brien, L Jones, O Evans, H Gustafson, D Young, M Screech, J Davies, O Griffiths, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: D Hughes, L Garrett, A Jeffries, S Williams, J Skinner, J Leadbeater, N Williams.

Tonight's Ben Francis Cup fixtures: Blaina v Oakdale, Fleur de Lys v Talywain, Cwmbran v Ynysddu, Tredegar Ironsides v Pontypool United, Abertillery v Risca