NEW-LOOK Ebbw Vale are braced for a different type of challenge when they host Pontypridd tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) after getting their Principality Premiership campaign off to a flyer.

It was a summer of change for the Steelmen as they got used to a new boss at the helm in Lee Davies and came to terms with life without talisman Damien Hudd, who returned to his hometown club Brynmawr.

They got their season off to a winning start on the road when they edged out Bargoed 24-20 and now they attempt to repeat the trick at Eugene Cross Park against a Ponty side smarting from a home loss to Bedwas.

Davies said: “Ponty are always a strong outfit and I work with Gareth Wyatt so there are office bragging rights up for grabs!

“They have a lot of quality throughout their side and look to play rugby with width and with real pace, so it will be a different test to Bargoed who caused us problems with their scrum and driving lineout.

“We have changed the way that we are trying to do things ourselves with the aim of playing with width and temp. Elements of that showed in the final friendly against Caldicot and against Bargoed.

“We are doing the right thing but it will still take a bit of time before our style becomes second nature.”

Ebbw's bid to strengthen their tight game for this evening's encounter is boosted by the return of lock Ashley Sweet.

The 28-year-old, who earned a full-time Dragons contract thanks to his exploits when helping the Steelmen win the title in 2016, featured at Eugene Cross Park for the region against Glasgow last Friday.

Carl Meyer, another who got a professional deal on the back of Ebbw efforts, is not available after playing full-back at Bargoed Park but the South African's absence is countered by the return of Will Talbot-Davies.

The Wales Under-20s number 15, who played two Dragons games last term, will spend a second full season at Eugene Cross Park.