IN RECENT seasons Pontypridd could have allowed their opponents to score six points a try and still lifted the Principality Premiership title but things promise to be tighter this season, writes Chris Kirwan.

The men from Sardis Road are chasing a fifth success on the spin and start the new campaign as favourites, but the hope among the chasing pack is that the gap has narrowed.

It promises to be a slightly odd season with the experimental laws – six points for a try, two for penalty goals and drop goals – aiming to encourage attacking play but running the risk of prompting negative play and a raft of yellow cards.

And the Premiership needs to have a tight tussle for play-off spots or the lack of relegation (the league is expanding with four Swalec Championship arrivals next year) could lead to some unattractive end-of-term tussles.

EBBW VALE have a lot to live up to after a stunning first season back in the Premiership and they start their campaign away at Swalec Cup holders Bridgend (kick-off 1.30pm).

The Steelmen finished second to Pontypridd after a good effort in the Sardis Road final and they have a new man at the helm.

Former Wales and Scarlets coach Nigel Davies has taken over the reins from Jason Strange, who has taken up a full-time job with the Welsh Rugby Union, and he gives debuts to centre Dom Franchi, wing David Williams and flanker Luke Crocker.

Wales Under-20s number eight Harri Keddie, who is fresh from scoring the winning try for Newport Gwent Dragons in the Singha Premiership 7s, starts while regional tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother is on the bench.

CROSS KEYS were beaten in the play-offs for the second season on the spin, going down to Ebbw in the semi-final at Eugene Cross Park a year after being beaten by Ponty at Sardis.

They are tipped to do well again by their Premiership rivals and face an early examination of their title credentials at Llandovery (kick-off 1pm).

Keys, who drew 18-18 last at Church Bank last year, give a start to just one debutant – full-back Owen Howe – while former Dragons, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys forward Ieuan Jones returns at blindside flanker after making the permanent move to Pandy Park.

Richie Rees could should make his bow from the bench, as should his half-back partner from the Dragons’ stunning win in Paris last season Angus O’Brien.

NEWPORT are chomping at the bit to get going again after a miserable 2014/15 that saw them prop up the table, only retaining their Premiership status because Swalec Championship champs Bargoed didn’t have the criteria for promotion.

The Black and Ambers have made plenty of changes over the summer and will hope to settle quickly against a Neath side that also struggled last year (kick-off 1.30pm).

Newport are without star full-back Geraint O’Driscoll until the new year because of a knee injury but boast a strong line-up at the Gnoll that features Dragons openside Ollie Griffiths and livewire wing Ashton Hewitt.

Matt O’Brien makes a welcome return from injury and his half-back partner is Ryan James, who has moved from Cross Keys to Rodney Parade for the second time.

BEDWAS start away to Carmarthen Quins (kick-off 1.30pm), a fixture they superbly won 35-22 last season.

Head coach Steve Law hands debuts to full-back Kurt Clabby, centre Adam Williams and Geraint Edmunds, who is joined in the second row by Dragons lock Matthew Screech.

Ebbw Vale (at Bridgend, 1.30pm): D Haymond, O Williams, J Howells, D Franchi, D Williams, D Langdon, T Edwards, R Jones, M Williams, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), R Clarke, L Crocker, R Kynes, H Keddie. Replacements: J Franchi, I George, L Fairbrother, J Bartlett, C Thomas, I Smerdon, R Gardiner, AN Other.

Cross Keys (at Llandovery, 1pm): O Howe, L Lewis, L Andrews (captain), N Williams, N Trowbridge, E Davies, J Leadbeater, R Cornock, D Hughes, L Brown, D Hodge, S Williams, I Jones, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, L Garrett, A Lott, T Lampard, P Uhi, R Rees, A O’Brien, S Andrews.

Newport (at Neath, 1pm): L Ap Myrddin, A Hewitt, H Palmer, B Nightingale, E Frewen, M O'Brien, R James, J Lavender, E Whitson, A Jeffries, Adam Brown (captain), R Jones, R Jenkins, O Griffiths, B Lampitt. Replacements : W Evans, J Greenfield, T Piper, B Morgan, C Attwell, J Lewis, A Robson, J Morris

Bedwas (at Carmarthen Quins, 1.30pm): K Clabby, G Gasson, M Callow, A Williams, M John, R Powell (captain), T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, G Edmunds, M Screech, J Sawyer, G Lee, S Feehan. Replacements: R Wilkes, D Preece, M Auger, C Edwards, C Tucker, D Mattravers, L Crane, J Dixon.

Other fixtures: Aberavon v Cardiff, Llanelli v Pontypridd