BEDWAS hope that they can once again conjure up a big performance when their backs are against the wall as in-form Aberavon head to Bridge Field in the Principality Premiership.

It has been a sticky start to the season for Bedwas, who have been down to the bare bones in the back five of their pack.

They have lost six of their nine fixtures and host the Wizards on the back of horror shows against Llanelli (48-16) and Bridgend (16-14).

Aberavon, meanwhile, are flying in second place with a solitary defeat at champions Pontypridd to their name.

"It's a huge test for us," admitted Bedwas forwards coach Ian Gardner. "We could easily have beaten Aberavon in the second week of the season but since then they have grown in confidence after some really good wins.

"They were very physical versus Llanelli last weekend and I was very impressed with their backs so we are up against it after the disappointing performance in Bridgend.

"It was as poor as we have been for a long, long time and it was very demoralising but we have got to pick ourselves up.

"Aberavon is a tough game but the good thing is that we often play better in the face of adversity."

Bedwas are boosted by the return of prop Keiron Jenkins after the 28-year-old tighthead approached the club about returning from Pontypridd.

They are also strengthened by the presence of a Newport Gwent Dragons contingent that features flankers James Benjamin and Josh Skinner, wing Aled Brew and full-back Geraint Rhys Jones.

"It's a real positive to have the Dragons players with us but we also need our boys to step up to the mark," said Gardner.

"We lost the ball in contact 16 times in Bridgend – nine of them in their 22 – and we cannot afford to repeat that against Aberavon."