CROSS Keys aim to shrug off a lengthy injury list to keep their Principality Premiership title hopes alive with a derby win against Bedwas this afternoon.

Keys need to win their four fixtures before the January split to stand a chance of being in the top half of the table and playing to be champions.

Those hopes haven't been helped by the absence of back row forwards Scott Matthews, Ieuan Jones (both ankle) and Josh Skinner (wrist), lock Simon Williams (knee) and prop Richard Cornock (calf), while full-back/fly-half Ethan Davies is playing for Wales in the Dubai 7s.

The management have delayed the naming of their side but will still be expecting a big display from the 23 that take to the field.

While Keys have no margin for error, Bedwas are on the brink of sealing a top-half finish thanks to last week's excellent win against RGC 1404.

Steve Law's side sit third in the table and one more win should be enough to avoid a nervy round 15 on January 7.

Recent recruit Ken Dowding makes his first start for the club at tightheat while Dan Crimmins gets the nod at number eight.

Ebbw Vale are set for a more nervy December than Bedwas in the defence of their title.

The sixth-placed Steelmen have travelled to north Wales for their encounter with fellow top-half hopefuls RGC 1404 and four points would see them leapfrog their hosts.

Ebbw have been hit hard by injury recently but can field a strong and experienced pack that is bolstered by new signing Jack Goodey at number eight. The former Newport back rower fills the void left by Ethan Doyle, who recently left the club.

Newport enjoyed a super November with a quartet of victories to keep alive their hopes of sneaking into the top eight.

The Black and Ambers have no margin for error and need to take the spoils against second-placed Aberavon at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

Head coach Craig Warlow tinkers with his winning side by bringing in half-backs Ryan James and Arwel Robson, while livewire Elliot Frewen returns on the wing.

Bargoed have shown plenty of spirit since heading to the Premiership but have been edged out in plenty of tense tussles.

They have just one win to their name – against bottom club Swansea in September – but will hope to cause Pontypridd plenty of problems on the plastic pitch at Sardis Road.

Bedwas (at Cross Keys): A Bramwell, M John, C Edwards, M Callow, P Pariyo, JS Dixon, N Griffiths (captain), B Toms, A Rees, K Dowding, G Edmunds, J Davies, J Richards, G Lee, D Crimmins. Replacements: D Preece, D Harris, M Pettit, T Bell, A Waite, L Crane, J Dixon, A Williams.

Ebbw Vale (at RGC 1404): D Haymond, C Duncan, S Majkic, N Preece, C Levesley, D Langdon, D Jones, R Jones, J Franchi, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), M Williams, R Clarke, R Kynes, J Goodey. Replacements: J Bowen, I George, J James, J Bartlett, R Dicks, C Thomas, J Howells, R Gardner

Newport (v Aberavon): G O'Driscoll, J Morris, T Riley, T Pascoe, E Frewen, A Robson, R James, J Lavender, H Palmer, G Harris, A Brown (captain), R Jones, R Tucker, C Attwell, R Jenkins. Replacements: M Prosser, C Coleman, J Greenfield, D Mock, K Tayler, O Davies, M O'Brien, W Cunliffe.

Fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): Carmarthen Quins v Merthyr, Cross Keys v Bedwas, Llandovery v Neath, Llanelli v Cardiff, Newport v Aberavon, Pontypridd v Bargoed, RGC 1404 v Ebbw Vale, Swansea v Bridgend