IT may still be very early in the new Principality Premiership season but there is a lot riding on the Gwent derby between Ebbw Vale and Newport at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (2.30pm).

Reigning champions Ebbw, without a game last weekend, lost their opening fixture to Llanelli, while the Black and Ambers are winless following defeats to Cardiff and Bedwas.

And with the split in the league 15 matches in, clubs can’t afford slow starts – if they do then they will find themselves out of contention for the title with a third of the campaign left.

The Steelmen won the corresponding clash last September, coming out on top 30-6, although Newport exacted revenge at Rodney Parade a few months later.

“It’s a big fixture early on in the season,” said Ebbw head coach Nigel Davies. “It’s a derby and both teams are desperate for a win to get their seasons up and running.

“Over the last two weeks we’ve revisited a few things in terms of our game and as individuals.

“We set standards at the end of last season and we wanted to kick on, but we didn’t perform to those standards against Llanelli.

“We were just not good enough, it’s as simple as that really. Giving away 10 penalties will lose you matches and we gave away 18.

“It wasn’t ideal to be without a game last weekend but we used the time wisely and there was much to sort out after the first game.”

Newport chief Craig Warlow reckons it is a good time to be playing Ebbw but his charges will have to show a marked improvement on their display against Bedwas last time out.

“In fairness to Bedwas they fully deserved to win,” he said. “We never seem to play well against them and you have to give credit to them for that.

“We didn’t look like scoring a try and that’s probably the first time since I’ve been Newport coach that I could say that.

“We haven’t got a massive squad but I’d like to think we have got competition for places.

“Some of the boys have been patient and I like to give people an opportunity early doors but not at the expense of getting a result.

“We’re going to play the champions at probably the perfect time but we need to be intense and really take it to them.”