THE British and Irish Cup qualifier between Cross Keys and Newport this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm) could well be decided by battle of the O’Briens, writes Chris Kirwan.

Newport Gwent Dragons fly-half Angus, 19, will be pulling the strings for the hosts at Pandy Park while his older brother Matt, 22, will wear 10 for the Black and Ambers.

It was the former that had the bragging rights when they locked horns in a tight Principality Premiership encounter last May.

Keys edged a 33-29 success on that occasion and it promises to be just as tight this afternoon with the victors earning a spot in Pool Four of the cross-border competition along with Doncaster, Bedford and Cornish Pirates.

The hosts are looking for an improved performance after spluttering their way to a 16-13 success against Ebbw Vale in last weekend’s semi-final.

They are boosted by the return of influential centre and captain Leon Andrews while Wales Under-20s loosehead Luke Garrett replaces Richard Cornock, who was forced off against the Steelmen with a calf injury.

The Black and Ambers make one change from the side that triumphed 41-25 at Bedwas with former Ospreys back Jamie Murphy replacing Nathan Edwards, who has a back injury, in midfield.

Openside flanker Ollie Griffiths, at 19 the youngster captain in the club’s history, has recovered from illness to lead the charge and his personal duel with fellow burgeoning Dragon Scott Matthews should be a cracker.

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, P Uhi, L Andrews (captain), A James, N Trowbridge, A O’Brien, R James, L Garrett, D Hughes, A Lott, D Hodge, S Andrews, R Tucker, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: C Gould, J Howard, T Lampard, C Townsend, O Jones, P Williams, E Jones.

Newport : G O'Driscoll, J Morris, D Robinson, J Murphy, O Broad, M O'Brien, O Davies, L Jenkins, W Evans, A Jeffries, Adam Brown, A Frampton, S Feehan, O Griffiths (captain), B Lampitt. Replacements : D Rogers, J Greenfield, J Monck, D Partridge, S Cross, A Quick, C Rees, D Franchi.

Referee : Sean Brickell (Abertillery)