CROSS Keys started the Premiership season with a bang at Pandy Park and will look to repeat the feat at Carmarthen Quins today (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Morgan Stoddart's men beat Bridgend with a bonus point last weekend but know that it will be a tougher test out west.

Keys feature Dragons loosehead Gerard Ellis but his regional teammate Nic Cudd, impressive against Bridgend, does not feature with Joe Carlin, a summer recruit from Risca, starting at openside.

Bedwas pushed Pontypridd hard last week only to be a denied a bonus point with the final kick. They will be hoping for better luck on their trip to Merthyr to face the champions.

The men from Bridge Field won at the Wern last season, so a visit to the double winners holds no fears even though they are huge underdogs.

Promising Dragons wing George Gasson makes his return to the club while his regional teammates James Thomas and James Sheekey start in the back row.

A notable inclusion is centre Dion McIntosh – son of Merthyr boss Dale, the imposing former Wales and Barbarians forward.

Newport and Bargoed must wait a day to lock horns at Rodney Parade with a Sunday appointment because of the Dragons’ clash with the Kings.

The Black and Ambers head into the game on the back of a win with a bonus at Carmarthen Quins while the Bulls were comprehensively beaten at home by Llandovery.

Nonetheless, Newport know it will be a stern challenge after being turned over by Bargoed in Newport last season.

The hosts are boosted by the return of utility back Geraint O’Driscoll from honeymoon, although he has to be content with a place among the replacements as head coach Craig Warlow opts against changing a winning team.

Cross Keys: L Andrews, W Cunliffe, S Majkic, J Sage, I Newbury, J Tovey, O Leonard, G Ellis, R Jenkins, R Cornock, D Welch (captain), H Reader, T Lampard, J Carlin, L Evans. Replacements: C Vaughan, T Hansen, S Hoskins, I Duffy, T James, D Williams, M Evans, D Fidler.

Newport: E Frewen, J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, H Lang, M O’Brien, R James, D Preece, H Palmer, G Harris, J Bartlett, R Landman, J Skinner, K Tayler, R Jenkins (captain). Replacements: E Whitson, L Smout, T Piper, M Burgess, M Reed, G Watkins, M McGovern, G O’Driscoll.

Bedwas: M Hathaway, D Evans, L Bowden, D McIntosh, G Gasson, J Scrivens, T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees (captain), R Hutcherson, J Richards, C Hudd, J Thomas, N Hudd, J Sheekey. Replacements: T Devine, D Rogers, C Budgen, G Allen, J Armitage, L Crane, J Chilcott, J Rees.