BEDWAS head coach Steve Law has slammed the decision to make his side play in Colwyn Bay on an international match day.

Law’s men will set off for tomorrow’s Principality Premiership tier one clash with RGC 1404 from their Bridge Field base at 6am.

The Eirias Park encounter gets under way at 1pm, just under two hours before Wales kick-off against France in the RBS 6 Nations.

Bedwas sit third in the Premiership top eight going into the match, five points clear of the North Walians, who lost 27-17 when they travelled south to face Law’s charges in November.

“It’s a long journey for us and a huge advantage to RGC,” said Law. “To have to kick-off this game at 1pm on an international day is unrealistic.

“Officials from Bedwas have been talking with RGC and the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union), and there are free Saturdays where we could kick-off at 2.30pm.

“But, basically, the union will back the fixture if the two teams don’t agree.”

Asked whether his players could use the situation to motivate them, he added: “I think all that motivational stuff is overrated, it’s definitely a disadvantage to us.

“We still expect a performance from the boys and they will be going out there to try and get a result, but it’s going to be very difficult.”

On the plus side, Law says he will be able to pick from a fully fit squad, one that is now looking forward to a Foster’s Challenge Cup final against Carmarthen Quins on Saturday, April 1.

After Bedwas thrashed Bridgend 55-14, Quins beat Merthyr 37-31 in the second semi-final on Wednesday night.

A win in Colwyn Bay would go a long way towards securing Bedwas a place in the Premiership play-offs.

With four games of the regular season left they are just a point behind tier one leaders Pontypridd and second-placed Ebbw Vale, who meet tonight.

But RGC have lost at home just once, against Aberavon, this term, putting 40 and 50 points on Pontypridd and Ebbw Vale respectively at Eirias Park.

“We respect them for what they have delivered week in and week out this season,” said Law.

Bedwas keep faith with the backs that started last weekend but Matthew Pettit joins Alun Rees and Dan Preece in the front row.

Joe Davies returns to the second row with Tom Bell moving to the bench, while there are places among the replacements for Adam Williams, the Army’s James S Dixon and Tom Rowlands.

Meanwhile, the venues and kick-off times for the WRU National Cup semi-finals have been confirmed.

Cross Keys and Pontypridd will meet at Aberavon's Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday, March 25 (2.30pm), while RGC 1404 face Merthyr at Sardis Road (4.45pm) the same day.