CROSS Keys attempt to build towards a pair of physical Principality Premiership challenges when they travel north to face a Doncaster side chasing Pool Four perfection in the British and Irish Cup, writes Chris Kirwan.

Keys only have pride to play for at Castle Park (kick-off 2pm) while the Knights could head into the quarter-finals as top seeds if they record their sixth win from six.

The Gwent side have league encounters with Pontypridd and Newport looming so have brought back a raft of regulars after losing 48-10 to Bedford last week.

The previous five games had a strong regional influence but only centre Jack Dixon, wing Ashton Hewitt and tighthead Alex Jeffries of the matchday 22 don't play their rugby at Pandy Park throughout the season.

Newport Gwent Dragons have used the cross-border tournament to give game time to props Dave Young, Owen Evans and Phil Price, hookers Rhys Buckley and Hugh Gustafson, locks Matthew Screech and Joe Davies, flanker Ollie Griffiths, number eight Harri Keddie, scrum-half Luc Jones, centre Barney Nightingale and fly-half Jason Tovey.

"Understandably Cross Keys are building towards the league and we are just thankful for the opportunities they have given us," said Newport Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones.

"It's been a great exercise for Keys and us, they have been very mature in understanding the size of the competition and the standard of the English Championship clubs, who turn up with their strongest sides now.

"It's been an excellent exercise and there have been three testing matches in which the boys have been inches away from winning."

The core of the Keys 23 that became the first side to lower the colours of Carmarthen Quins in the Premiership are selected with Tom Lampard paired with Dan Hodge in the second row and Reuben Tucker, Scott Matthews and Adam Powell forming an abrasive back row.

James Leadbeater's half-back partner is set to be Dorian Jones, who featured for the Dragons off the bench against Bucharest last night, while Dixon and Polu Uhi provide plenty of bulk in midfield.

Keys were edged out 37-32 when the sides met in October, having to settle for a pair of bonus points from a thriller at Pandy Park.

Doncaster have ex-Trinant tighthead Ross Davies on the bench while former Cardiff Blues prop WillGriff John starts in the front row.

Keys: R Lee, A Hewitt, P Uhi, J Dixon, L Lewis, D Jones, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, A Jeffries, T Lampard, D Hodge, R Tucker, S Matthews (captain), A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, R Cornock, A Lott, S Williams, J Skinner, O Jones, N Trowbridge.