LEON Andrews will make his first Cross Keys start since St David’s Day when he leads out the Gwent side for their Swalec Cup semi-final against Carmarthen Quins at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday (2.30pm).

The Keys skipper returned to action after six games on the sidelines with an elbow injury when he appeared as a second-half substitute during the 24-16 derby defeat of Newport last weekend.

A fit again Andrews replaced inside centre Phil Williams for the final 15 minutes of the Principality Premiership victory over the Black and Ambers at Pandy Park.

However, Andrews is at full-back for Saturday's clash with the Quins, one of eight changes to the team that started the Newport success.

Also in the backs, Barney Nightingale is recalled in favour of Williams at centre and wing Nathan Trowbridge replaces Lloyd Lewis.

Having been on duty for Wales Sevens in Hong Kong, Ethan Davies gets the nod at fly-half with Josh Prosser unavailable.

Up front, Darren Hughes and Leon Brown come in for Ellis Shipp and Richard Cornock at hooker and tighthead prop respectively.

Shipp and Cornock have to make do with places on the bench alongside four more forwards and just two backs.

Tom Lampard comes into the second row for Simon Williams while Adam Powell replaces Josh Skinner in the back row.

Powell takes over at number-eight and Ieuan Jones moves across to the blindside.

Victory for Keys at the Talbot Athletic Ground will take them through to a third Swalec Cup final.

If they come out on top on Saturday and Pontypridd prevail against Llandovery in Swansea then it would be the third final between the two clubs in the last five seasons.

Keys lifted the trophy for the first time in their history in 2012 but Ponty gained revenge two years later.

First, though, Keys meet a Quins team they have beaten twice this term but who are in good form themselves after league wins over Newport and Cardiff, both away from home.

But an excellent record against their opponents in recent years and the fact they are playing well too means Keys have a great chance of reaching the final at the Principality Stadium on May 1.

Cross Keys: 15. Leon Andrews (capt), 14. Matthew Powell, 13. Nathan Williams, 12. Barney Nightingale, 11. Nathan Trowbridge, 10. Ethan Davies, 9. James Leadbeater; 1. Luke Garrett, 2. Darren Hughes, 3. Leon Brown, 4. Tom Lampard, 5. Scott Andrews, 6. Ieuan Jones, 7. Scott Matthews, 8. Adam Powell.

Replacements: 16. Ellis Shipp, 17. Gary Carpenter, 18. Richard Cornock, 19. Josh Skinner, 20. Simon Williams, 21. Phil Williams, 22. Owain Leonard, 23. Danny Hodge.

Carmarthen Quins: TBC.