FORMER Wales prop Ceri Jones has joined Principality Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale as a replacement for forwards coach Duane Goodfield.

Former hooker Goodfield, who headed to Eugene Cross Park in December 2013, is leaving the Steelmen after accepting a role as academy skills coach with Cardiff Blues.

Ebbw have moved swiftly to fill the role by appointing ex-Newport loosehead Jones, who has been scrum coach at Worcester Warriors since retiring in 2013.

"I can't speak highly enough of the work done by Duane," said head coach Jason Strange. "He had a difficult job following Geraint Lewis because our forward pack was really formidable.

"Duane is younger than some of the players and it would have been daunting but he has been superb and his biggest strength is his passion for coaching.

"I don't doubt he will go on to big things and it's great to have Ceri on board as his replacement.

"We've had him up here over the last couple of weeks and he is a really good technical coach who has been working at a high level with Worcester, plus he already has a good group of players to work with."

Strange faces a busy weekend as he is part of the Wales Under-20s coaching team for tomorrow's Six Nations opener against England and will then drive down from Colwyn Bay on Sunday to oversee Ebbw's televised derby against Cross Keys.

Pontypridd's surprise slip up against Bridgend means they are still on top of the pile but they will face a stern challenge against a Keys side that are in the hunt for the playoffs.

The teams have already met twice at Pandy Park this season with the hosts winning 16-13 in a British and Irish Cup playoff before the Steelmen romped to a 34-20 success in the league.

"They are top of the league so we are under no illusions about how tough it will be," said Keys team manager Mark Prangell.

"We will need to be on top of our game and will have to match them up front and nullify their lineout.

"We were fortunate to beat them in the first game but they then gave us a lesson in the second one. We are back on track now and need to go on a strong run because it doesn't matter where you finish in the top three as long as you are in the playoffs."

Ebbw Vale captain Damien Hudd also expects the tussle up front to be key as the leaders attempt to record a seventh win on the spin.

"Cross Keys are a very good side with a big, strong pack and really good back row," said the lock.

"They've got pace behind, too, so we know what to expect. Games are won up front, and we're confident we can continue in the way we've been playing."