CROSS Keys head coach Greg Woods has called on Wales Under-20s internationals Scott Andrews and Luke Garrett to grasp their chance to impress in the absence of a pair of club stalwarts, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Pandy Park side qualified for the British and Irish Cup thanks to victories against Ebbw Vale and Newport but that progress came at a cost.

Lock/back row Tom Lampard and loosehead prop Richard Cornock picked up shoulder and calf injuries respectively and are set to miss the first month of the Principality Premiership.

That will lead to 20-year-old second row Andrews and 19-year-old front rower Garrett, who are on dual contracts with the Dragons, taking to the field against Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground tomorrow afternoon.

"It's not great to lose two influential players but they should be back for the British and Irish Cup and the positive is that it gives a chance to build more strength in depth," said Woods.

"Luke and Scott now have an opportunity to establish themselves as first-choice players and I was really pleased with how they went against Newport last week.

"Big things are expected of them by the region and they now have a period to play regular rugby and stake their claim.

"They have both been in our team environment for quite a while and this is now their time."

Keys finished as runners-up to Pontypridd in both the Premiership and the Swalec Cup last season while the Wizards managed to narrowly avoid relegation to the Championship.

But Aberavon triumphed 27-26 when the teams met in the corresponding fixture last season and Woods expects another stern challenge.

He said: "It's a tough start because Aberavon have recruited well and also qualified for the BIC (beating Bridgend 20-19 thanks to Ceiron Thomas' late, late drop goal).

"They have strengthened up front and their head coach Jason Hyatt has always played an expansive game.

"We improved our performance dramatically from Ebbw Vale to Newport and we will have to go up another level this weekend."

Dorian Jones is set to pull the strings for Keys from fly-half as Angus O'Brien is on the bench for the Dragons against the Ospreys this evening.