CROSS Keys have turned to the Dragons for fly-half cover for the visit of Llandovery to Pandy Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm), with Jacob Botica to latest to fill in at 10 in the absence of Jason Tovey.

Tovey, contracted to Keys having moved back to Wales in the summer, remains a part of Bernard Jackman’s plans at the Rodney Parade region.

Botica, who was signed by Jackman from RGC 1404 in the close season along with centre Tiaan Loots, Will Kelly and Declan Williams have all deputised for Tovey in recent weeks.

“I saw Jacob last season when he was playing for RGC and he was superb for them,” said Keys head coach Morgan Stoddart.

“The Dragons signed him on the back of that.

“He’s had a few niggles since joining the Dragons and hasn’t been able to play much.

“RGC like to run with the ball a lot, but the matches I have seen Jacob in, he had a mix of everything in his game.”

Last Friday’s 47-19 hammering by Aberavon took Keys’ run of games without a win to nine and saw them drop to 12th in the Principality Premiership.

Stoddart was dismayed by his side’s “shambolic” first-half performance, one that saw them trail 33-0 at the interval, but he took hope in their display after the break.

However, he knows a big improvement will be needed if they are to get anything out of tomorrow’s clash with the Drovers.

“Llandovery are a very similar side to Aberavon,” he added.

“They play a good brand of rugby and have a tough, hard working pack.

“Llandovery have been excellent for a number of years now and we know there is a big challenge in front of us.

“We need to improve massively from last week’s performance.”