THE three-week wait for a return to Principality Premiership action will drag for either Newport or Ebbw Vale after today's derby at Rodney Parade, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Gwent rivals have both won five and lost four so the side that emerges triumphant will be in good shape in the battle for play-off spots while the loser will be left to stew while the opening rounds of the Foster's Challenge Cup are played.

The Black and Ambers head into the game on the back of a deflating defeat to old foes Cardiff, leaving the capital with a pair of bonus points when they felt it should have been a win.

Newport feature wing Wes Cunliffe and prop John Lavender, who plied their trade in Ebbw last year, while Jack Goodey, son of former captain Richard, is on permit from Merthyr to feature among the replacements as back row cover.

The Steelmen, who triumphed 30-6 when the sides met at Eugene Cross Park in September, are fresh from a stunning win at champions Pontypridd.

Head coach Nigel Davies makes two changes to the side with scrum-half Tom Edwards coming in along with centre Nathan Preece who comes in for Dom Franchi, who is denied the opportunity to return the club he left in the summer by injury.

Bedwas have had an up and down season and they need one of their up performances when they host in-form Aberavon.

The Wizards have lost just once this season – at champions Pontypridd – and triumphed when the sides met at the Talbot Athletic Ground in week two.

Bedwas' hopes are helped by a number of Newport Gwent Dragons players with full-back Geraint Rhys Jones, centre Aled Brew and blindside Josh Skinner coming in along with James Benjamin, who returns to the club where he cut his teeth at number eight rather than the position of openside he usually plays in regional rugby.

Newport (v Ebbw Vale): E Frewen, W Cunliffe, B Nightingale, A James, J Morris, A Robson, R James, J Lavender, H Palmer, A Jeffries, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, R Jenkins, B Lampitt. Replacements: E Whitson, J Greenfield, T Piper, B Morgan, J Goodey, O Davies, J Mogg, P King.

Ebbw Vale (at Newport): C Levesley, D Williams, N Preece, A Jones, R Gardner, D Langdon, T Edwards, R Jones, M Williams (captain), G Robinson, R Clarke, A Sweet, L Crocker, R Kynes, H Keddie. Replacements: J Franchi, I George, L Bridges, C Regan, E Doyle, C Thomas, I Smerdon, D Haymond.

Bedwas (v Aberavon): GR Jones, K Clabby, A Brew, C Edwards, M John, R Powell (captain), T Rowlands, M Pettit, A Rees, J Mills, G Edmunds, C Tucker, J Skinner, A Waite, J Benjamin. Replacements: R Wilkes, B Toms, K Jenkins, S Feehan, D Mattravers, D Jones, G Lee, J Dixon.