CROSS Keys have called on Dragons and Wales prop Ryan Bevington for today’s Gwent derby against Ebbw Vale (kick-off 5.10pm) as injuries take their toll on Morgan Stoddart’s squad.

Several Keys players are currently sidelined through injury and won’t be able to make the short trip to Eugene Cross Park where Principality Premiership leaders Ebbw, coached by former Pandy Park favourite Greg Woods, lie in wait.

As well as those out with knocks, a call-up to the Dragons A team for scrum-half Dan Babos means Keys will be without one of their best performers so far this season.

However, they have the experienced Bevington to cover for Corey Hewlett, who dislocated his shoulder at the Arms Park, and skipper Damian Welch returns after missing the Cardiff loss.

The other change in the pack sees Richard Cornock come in at tighthead in place of Taylor Hansen who drops to the bench.

In the backs, Owain Leonard replaces Babos and Declan Williams returns to the centre to replace the injured Srdan Majkic.

Late fitness checks mean Keys are yet to confirm who will play on the left wing in a back three featuring Leon Andrews at full-back and Wes Cunliffe on the right flank.

Hosts Ebbw, with six wins from as many fixtures, make four changes from the starting XV that beat Swansea last Saturday.

Three of those come in the pack where Ross Jones, Kristian Parker and Lewis Young come in for loosehead Joel Harries, lock Lance Randall and number eight Cameron Regan respectively.

Harries, Randall and Regan have to settle for places on the bench but centre Dom Franchi, replaced by James Lewis, misses out altogether.

Newport make the long trip north to Stadiwm Zip World in Colwyn Bay to play RGC 1404 (kick-off 2.30pm).

Injuries and unavailability sees Black and Ambers head coach Craig Warlow make a smattering of changes after last weekend’s 38-35 reverse at the hands of Aberavon.

Promising youngster David Richards moves to full-back with the experienced Elliot Frewen returning to the wing.

Scrum-half Tom Lucas has earned a first start after making an impact off the bench with a try against the Wizards.

Dan Partridge makes a welcome return after injury and takes a place on the bench.

Bargoed, beaten narrowly by Bedwas a week ago, entertain a Llanelli side recovering from a shocking start which saw them concede 138 points in four matches.

Bargoed (home to Llanelli): J Hallett; D Dyer, B Nightingale, D Humphries, A Norton; J Prosser, J Leadbeater; J Lavender, R Buckley, A Gardner-Key, L Blacker (capt), A Gibson, L Johnson, G Rogers, A Powell. Reps: M Bancroft, J Howells, J Mogg, C Davies, J Locke, K Bale, L Lippiett, R Morgan.

Ebbw Vale (home to Cross Keys): D Haymond; P King, C Meyer, J Lewis, T Fricker; Rh Jones, D Jones; Ro Jones, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, K Parker, A Sweet, R Clarke, R Kynes (capt), L Young. Reps: J Franchi, J Harries, C Hicks, L Randall, C Regan, M Flanagan, O Young, S Thomas.

Cross Keys (at Ebbw Vale): L Andrews; W Cunliffe, D Williams, D Fidler, AN Other; J Tovey, O Leonard; R Bevington, C Vaughan, R Cornock, H Reader, T Lampard, D Welch (capt), J Carlin, J Thomas. Reps: R Jenkins, S Hoskins, T Hansen, T James, I Duffy, AN Other, M Evans, C Johnsey.

Newport (at RGC 1404): D Richards; J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, E Frewen; M O’Brien, T Lucas; L Smout, W Evans, G Harris, R Cresswell, J Bartlett, M Burgess, K Tayler, J Reid. Reps: M Prosser, J Williams, T Piper, D Partridge, A Mann, G Watkin, H Simons, A Evans.

LEGENDARY kitman Terry ‘Tiger’ Simons will be at the forefront of Pontypool minds today when the Championship leaders travel to Bedlinog looking to extend their unbeaten record.

The lifelong Pooler fan, who devoted more than 70 years of service to the club, passed away this week after a long period of ill health.

Leighton Jones and his men will be desperate to honour the late club stalwart with a performance he would have been proud of this afternoon.

Reigning champions Pooler are yet to taste defeat this season having won all six of their opening fixtures, though they head the table by just one point from fellow unbeaten side Cardiff Met.

The Cardiff outfit, who go to Pontypool Park on November 24, do have Gwent opponents today in Newbridge, bottom of the Championship with one victory in six.

As for Pontypool’s hosts, the Foxes sit sixth following three wins and three losses, one point behind Trebanos in fifth.

Bedlinog suffered a surprise 23-17 defeat to struggling Newcastle Emlyn last time out after conceding 57 points at Narberth seven days earlier.

They have recorded triumphs over Rhydyfelin, Newbridge and Beddau this term, but also shipped 67 points at Tata Steel.

After a relatively slow start by their high standards, Pontypool now appear to be flying after thrashing Narberth 55-8 at home last Saturday.

Another display like that one and they will have no problems seeing off the Foxes before raising a glass to the man they called Tiger.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Narberth will want to put that Pooler rout behind them when they host Maesteg Quins.

The same thing goes for Beddau, 36-5 losers against Cardiff Met last weekend, as they entertain Ystrad Rhondda.

Trebanos, 31-17 victors over Newbridge, travel to Rhydyfelin and Tata Steel entertain Newcastle Emlyn.