EBBW Vale needed no telling about the dangers of taking new boys lightly even before Merthyr made an impressive start to life in the Principality Premiership.

The Steelmen travel to take on the Ironmen this afternoon for a battle between two sides likely to be in the title shake-up after the controversial January split to the league.

Champions Ebbw have made a solid start to the defence of their trophy by responding to a surprise opening loss at Llanelli with victories against Newport, Bridgend and Neath.

They would admit that there is plenty of room for improvement and a stronger showing is needed at Championship champions Merthyr, who have already claimed the scalps of Cross Keys, Cardiff, Pontypridd and Newport.

Ebbw took to life back in the Premiership like ducks to water themselves, going from runners-up in their first year back to champions last season, so know that the Ironmen are formidable foes.

Coach Nigel Davies brings full-back Dan Haymond, centre Nathan Preece, scrum-half Chris Thomas, loosehead Ian George and flankers Ronny Kynes and Josh Jacas into the XV that edged to success at the Gnoll.

Cross Keys stalwart Leon Andrews returns to his original position of full-back for the trip to Llandovery.

The 32-year-old was a 15 when he joined the club from Cardiff in 2007 but has established himself as one of the best centres in the Premiership.

Andrews shift back to full-back with Lewis Barnett and Phil Williams forming a new midfield partnership while promising Dragons academy scrum-half Owain Leonard replaces vice-captain James Leadbeater, who picked up a knock in last week's disappointing 19-17 loss at Carmarthen Quins.

Influential Wales Under-20s tighthead Leon Brown is among the replacements while Adam Powell is recalled at number eight.

Both Keys and the Drovers have won two and lost three this season and are used to challenging at the top of the table, so will be keen to finish the first block with a flourish.

Tom Riley returns from injury to face his former team when Newport attempt to upset Pontypridd on their new plastic pitch.

The 31-year-old centre, who made a 60 appearances for the Dragons between 2009 and 2012 after impressing for the Black and Ambers, returned to Wales from Cornish Pirates this summer.

Riley started the first three games of the campaign but missed Newport's win against Llanelli and loss to Merthyr.

He slots back in at 13 for a return to his old stomping ground, although he will no longer have to contend with a heavy surface after a 3G pitch was laid at Sardis Road.

Geraint O'Driscoll moves to full-back for the encounter with Ponty with Newport hoping their livewire wingers Llywarch 'Larry' Ap Myrddin and Elliot Frewen get plenty of ball in their bid for a first win at Sardis since 2006.

That Bedwas make only two changes to the XV for their trip to Bridgend highlights how happy they are with their start to the season.

The men from Bridge Field have won four from five and have already recorded notable wins at Merthyr, Newport and Llandovery last week.

Another success against the Ravens will leave them looking very good for a top-half spot when the January split happens, although there is still plenty of water to go under the bridge.

Lock Geraint Edmunds replaces Joe Davies, wing Andy Evans is in for George Gasson while Dragons loosehead is a welcome addition to the bench for the clash against his hometown club. The prop, who had an excellent 2015/16, is on the road to recovery following shoulder surgery.

Bargoed have made a steady start to life in the Premiership but will be slightly disappointed to have lost home games against Neath and Llanelli.

The Bulls acknowledge the learning curve is steep in the top flight and will be keen to make strides from last week's loss to Llanelli in heavy conditions when they host a Carmarthen Quins side who are three from five.

The management team ring the changes with full-back Sam Withers, wing Lewis Hudd, centres Darren Humphries and Phil Price, scrum-half James Pizey, hooker Leigh Meades, lock Lewis Blacker, flanker Alex Herbert and number eight Ross Coombs coming into the XV.

Fixtures: Aberavon v Llanelli, Bargoed v Carmarthen Quins, Bridgend v Bedwas, Llandovery v Cross Keys, Merthyr v Ebbw Vale, Neath v Cardiff, Pontypridd v Newport, Swansea v RGC 1404

Ebbw Vale (at Merthyr): D Haymond, C Levesley, N Preece, D Langdon, J Rosser, J Lewis, C Thomas, I George, M Williams, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, J Jacas, R Kynes, R Clarke. Replacements: J Franchi, R Jones, R Sevenoaks, J Bartlett, E Doyle, B Ellis, J Howells, R Gardner.

Cross Keys (at Llandovery): L Andrews, M Powell, L Barnett, P Williams, N Trowbridge, J Prosser, O Leonard, L Smout, D Hughes, R Cornock, D Hodge, S Williams, I Jones, S Matthews (captain), A Powell. Replacements: E Shipp, C Hewlett, L Brown, J Skinner, T Lampard, J Unwin, R Pritchard, B Nightingale.

Newport (at Pontypridd): G O'Driscoll, L Ap Myrddin, T Riley, C Smith, E Frewen, A Robson, R James, J Greenfield, E Whitson, C Coleman, A Brown (captain), D Mock, R Jones, C Attwell, R Tucker. Replacements: H Palmer, J Lavender, T Piper, H Williams, J Goodey, O Davies, M O'Brien, W Cunliffe.

Bedwas (at Bridgend): A Bramwell, A Evans, C Edwards, JS Dixon, P Lewis, R Powell (captain), N Griffiths, D Preece, A Rees, M Pettit, G Edmunds, R Blake, J Richards, G Lee, A Waite. Replacements: P Price, B Toms, R Hutcherson, R Verley, D Crimmins, N Hudd, L Crane, J Dixon.

Bargoed (v Carmarthen Quins): S Withers, L Hudd, D Humphries, P Price, D Evans, C Jones, J Pizey, R Morgan, L Meades (captain), K Brown, J Locke, L Blacker, A Coupe, A Herbert, R Coombs. Replacements: J Williams, A Lott, L Lippiett, G Rogers, L Beach, J Hallett, G Callow, D Dyer.