PRINCIPALITY Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale have brought in their former utility back Nick Wakley as skills coach, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 34-year-old will assist head coach Jason Strange, who will have commitments with Wales Under-20s over the coming months, and forwards coach Duane Goodfield.

Wakley enjoyed a pair of spells with the Steelmen in a playing career that also saw him represent Newport, Pontypool, Cardiff, Sale and Doncaster.

After hanging up his boots he had a spell on the management team at Glamorgan Wanderers and has forged a career as a sevens coach, taking the helm for Newport Gwent Dragons in the Premiership Rugby 7s and helping out with the Wales squad.

He has joined an Ebbw Vale set-up that is flying with a playoff spot within their grasp in their first season back in the top flight.

They have won their last five games and are fresh from victories against title contenders Cardiff and Carmarthen Quins at Eugene Cross Park.

It’s another tough test for the Steelmen on Sunday when they take on Llandovery in a televised encounter at Church Bank (kick-off 4pm). The Drovers may only be eighth but are a tough team, especially on their own turf.

“They are a similar side to the Quins,” said Strange. “They are very good on the counter-attack with a very good back three that can strike from turnovers.

“Llandovery capitalise on mistakes and we made far too many errors last week even though it was a good win.

“We have to improve our defence but we will still be going there with a positive mindset and will be using the same attacking approach that we have all season.”

Ebbw Vale’s win against the Quins saw them leapfrog champions Pontypridd into top spot, albeit after playing two games more.

“As a group we understand that we have to keep improving and the players drive the standards,” said Strange.

“We have been enjoying some good results but there are still large parts of our game that we are unhappy with.”