NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have reallocated academy lock Max Williams to Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale after his impressive start to the season with Pontypool, writes Chris Kirwan.

Williams, a member of last year's Wales Under-18s squad, has caught the eye in Pooler's fine start to the WRU Championship season.

The 18-year-old will now move to Eugene Cross Park where he will learn under the watchful eye of talismanic lock, and Premiership player of the year for 2015/16, Damien Hudd.

The Steelmen expect to be without second row Ashley Sweet, who earned a professional Dragons contract thanks to his exploits in the title-winning season, until the New Year after he needed surgery on a torn pec.

The athletic Williams has played in six of Pooler's seven wins this season and scored a try in the success against Dunvant earlier this month.

"Pooler is proud of the role it has played in Max's rapid development and everybody at the club wishes him every success in the next step of what has the potential to be a hugely successful playing career," read a statement from the Championship leaders.

This afternoon (SAT) Bedlinog are the visitors at Pontypool Park and the Division One East champs and Swalec Plate holders have made a good start to life in the Championship, sitting fifth in the table with four wins and a draw.

Last weekend they beat second-placed Tata Steel to help Pooler extend their lead to 10 points thanks to a hard-earned 33-3 victory against Skewen.

Newbridge face a stern challenge when they welcome third-placed Narberth to the Welfare Ground.

'Bridge were beaten 20-10 by then bottom club Glamorgan Wanderers in Ely last weekend but have won their last two games on home soil.

Last season's corresponding fixture saw Narberth sneak a 19-18 victory but Newbridge got revenge in Pembrokeshire in April by edging another tight encounter 22-18.

Championship fixtures: Dunvant v Cardiff Met, Glynneath v Glamorgan Wanderers, Newbridge v Narberth, Pontypool v Bedlinog, Skewen v Beddau, Tata Steel v Newcastle Emlyn