CROSS Keys' new signing Ethan Davies makes his debut against Pontypridd today as the Pandy Park outfit look to put their British and Irish Cup woes behind them.

It doesn’t get much more difficult for Keys though as they seek to avenge two heartbreaking last stage defeats to Ponty in May, losing out in both the Swalec Cup final and Principality Premiership Grand Final.

Wales Under-20s outside half Davies joined Keys this week after a short stint with Ebbw Vale after transferring to Eugene Cross Park from Newport during the summer.

The 20-year-old starts at No 10, while regular fly half Angus O’Brien slots in at full back.

Keys’ director of rugby Jonathan Westwood stressed how Davies was snapped up because O’Brien and their other playmaker Dorian Jones are both regularly making the step up to regional rugby with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

He said: “We’ve been scouring high and low for a quality outside half to come in for Angus and Dorian who, to our delight of course, are often with the Dragons these days.

“Ethan is a young, talented No 10 who has all the attributes that we were looking for, and we can’t wait to work with him.”

Keys fielded a number of young Dragons in their British and Irish Cup campaign, an experiment which didn’t fully work, the Gwent Valleys side winning just one out of six pool games, the last two, hammerings at the hands of Bedford (48-10) and Doncaster (54-0).

Some outside commentators have criticised the region and the commitment of some of their players, but Westwood has nothing but praise for the Dragons.

He said: “It has been a difficult time for us over recent weeks, but I just wanted to publically thank the Dragons for all the excellent support their players and staff gave us.

“They were truly superb and they really did us proud.”

Westwood said Keys are relishing this afternoon’s encounter at Sardis Road against the league leaders: “This is a cracking fixture and it’s a challenge we’re all relishing.”

Newport are also facing a tricky road trip in the Premiership when they face Llandovery, the Black and Ambers looking to stop the rot after losing five of their last six games.

The good news for the city side is that their excellent captain, young Dragon Ollie Griffiths is back on the openside for them and he is in top form after some fine performances for Keys in the British and Irish Cup.

There are no less intriguing games involving the other two Premiership clubs in the Dragons region.

Ebbw Vale’s wonderful start to their league campaign could get even better if they can topple Llanelli at home, a result which could lift them up to second in the table behind Pontypridd.

And if Bedwas can keep up some good recent form and forge victory, it would enhance their play-off ambitions.

They are up against Cardiff away, the capital city side also currently enjoying a purple patch.

Cross Keys: A O’Brien, N Williams, L Andrews (capt), P Uhi, N Trowbridge, E Davies, J Leadbeater, R Cornock, J Howard, A Lott, S Williams, T Lampard, R Tucker, S Matthews, A Powell.

Replacements: D Hughes, L Garrett, C Gould, J Skinner, D Hodge, E Jones, R Lee, R Dyer.

Newport: G O'Driscoll, O Broad, J Morris, B Nightingale, E Frewen, J Murphy, A Quick, D Pattison, H Gustafson, A Jeffries, Adam Brown, A Frampton, R Jenkins, O Griffiths (capt), S Cross.

Replacements: D Rogers, D Young, J Greenfield, D Partridge, S Waldron, O Davies, A Hewitt, J Mogg.

Bedwas: S Thomas, M John, M Callow, A Pinches, R Budina, J Maynard, L Crane, D Preece, R Wilkes, J Mills, P Rees (capt), J Hayward, A Rees, J Sawyer, D Crimmins.

Replacements: R Hutcherson, B Toms, M Pettit, M Screech, D Mattravers, J Benjamin, T Rowlands, R Powell.