NO quarter will be granted when Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys meet at Eugene Crross Park in the Principality Premiership this afternoon (kick-off 1.30pm).

The Steelmen and Keys enjoyed two victories apiece last season, although it was Vale who took the spoils in the big play-off semi-final. Both title hopefuls will be attempting to build on promising starts to the campaign.

Rhys Clarke starts for Ebbw in the absence of injured influential lock Ashley Sweet while there are first starts of the campaign for centre Adam Jones and wing Ryan Gardner.

Keys field Dragons fly-half Angus O’Brien in midfield, giving them another kicking option to aid them in territorial battle along with fly-half Josh Prosser and full-back Ethan Davies.

Bedwas will have to be at the top of their game when they travel west to face in-form Llandovery (kick-off 1pm).

The men from Bridge Field enjoyed their second win of the season against Neath last weekend and are bolstered by Dragons locks Matthew Screech and Cory Hill.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, D Williams, N Preece, A Jones, R Gardner, I Smerdon, T Edwards, R Jones, M Williams, R Sevenoaks, D Hudd (captain), R Clarke, H Keddie, R Kynes, E Doyle. Replacements: J Franchi, I George, G Robinson, J Bartlett, L Crocker, C Thomas, J Howells, C Levesley

Cross Keys: E Davies, P Uhi, L Andrews (captain), A O’Brien, L Lewis, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, L Brown, S Andrews, T Lampard, I Jones, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: E Shipp, A Lott, R Cornock, R Tucker, O Howe, N Trowbridge, C Povey, D Hodge.

Bedwas: J Dixon, R Budina, A Williams, M Callow, M John, R Powell (captain), T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees, J Mills, M Screech, C Hill, J Skinner, G Lee, A Waite. Replacements: R Wilkes, D Preece, M Pettit, C Tucker, S Montieri, L Crane, G Davies, K Clabby