NEWPORT hope that returning captain Ollie Griffiths can inspire them to a derby win against Cross Keys at Rodney Parade in the Premiership this afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The 20-year-old openside has not played for the Black and Ambers since January 17 – the bottom club’s last league win.

Griffiths was the star of Wales’ Under-20s Six Nations campaign and featured off the bench in Newport Gwent Dragons’ win against Treviso last weekend.

His presence will give a huge boost to the Black and Ambers and his tussle with fellow burgeoning Dragons flanker Scott Matthews should be a cracker.

The clash follows the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final between Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues and should be a tight contest regardless of league positions.

Keys are in red-hot form with 11 wins from their last 12 and are looking good for a place in the playoffs while Newport need a miracle to avoid finishing bottom.

There will be plenty of Dragons academy talent attempting to impress with the hosts fielding Griffiths, wing Barney Nightingale, scrum-half Owen Davies and tighthead Alex Jeffries while the visitors boast wing Lloyd Lewis, loosehead Luke Garrett, tighthead Leon Brown, lock Scott Andrews and flanker Josh Skinner along with young number eight Jack Condy, who has made a real impression since his move from Penallta.

It’s also derby day in Ebbw Vale with Bedwas making the trip to Eugene Cross Park to face the playoff-chasing Steelmen (kick-off 2.30pm).

Ebbw sit second but need to make their last home game of the regular season count as they attempt to stay above third-placed Keys and fourth-placed Carmarthen Quins, who travel to Llandovery tomorrow.

The Steelmen ended a four-game losing streak with a crucial win against Bridgend last time out and will need lock Ashley Sweet to be as influential as he was against the Ravens.

Bedwas have had another strong season but have little to play for after having their playoff and Swalec Cup hopes ended by Llandovery and Keys respectively.

Nonetheless, Steve Law’s side never just go through the motions and in centre Aaron Pinches they have a player looking to keep catching the eye after being named as Premiership player of the month.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, B Nightingale, N Edwards, D Franchi, E Frewen, G O’Driscoll, O Davies, D Pattison, E Whitson, A Jeffries, A Brown, A Frampton, R Jenkins, O Griffiths (captain), S Feehan. Replacements: TBC

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, L Lewis, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, P Uhi, E Davies, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, L Brown, S Andrews, T Lampard, J Skinner, S Matthews, J Condy. Replacements: TBC

Ebbw Vale: C Meyer, O Williams, A Jones, D Langdon, T James, I Smerdon, R Downes, R Jones, M Williams, R Sevenoaks, D Hudd, A Sweet, R Clarke, R Kynes, C Regan. Replacements: TBC

Bedwas: H Thomson, L Hudd, M Callow, A Pinches, M John, R Powell, T Rowlands, B Toms, R Wilkes, M Pettit, P Rees (captain), K Maiden, J Sawyer, G Lee, D Mattravers. Replacements: R Hutcherson, D Preece, J Mills, D Crimmins, S Grainger, L Crane, J Maynard, S Thomas.

BLACKWOOD are running out of games to save their bacon in the Swalec Championship and face a stern test when they host Merthyr this afternoon.

Only Llanharan are beneath the men from Glan-yr-Afon Park in the table after a run of 14 consecutive defeats, the last two being heavy 74-7 and 74-5 losses to Newbridge and Narberth.

Newbridge hit a speedbump in the Six Nations with losses to Swansea and Merthyr but the tight nature of the games shows how far they have come in recent months.

Neil Edwards’ men, who have climbed from bottom to 10th, will attempt to emphasise that progress when they host Pontypool at the Welfare Ground.

Sixth-placed Pooler, who triumphed 29-26 when the sides met in December, need to up their game after a hugely disappointing 29-0 home loss to Bridgend Athletic.

Other fixtures: Bridgend Athletic v RGC 1404, Cardiff Met v Tondu, Glynneath v Narberth, Swansea v Llanharan, Tata Steel v Bargoed.