SCOTT Andrews will be eager to mark his 100th appearance for Cross Keys by leading them to a much-needed win in today’s big Gwent derby against Bedwas at Pandy Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Both clubs are desperate for points in the Championship, with Keys striving to avoid back-to-back relegations and Bedwas trying their best to cling on to Pontypool’s coattails.

Last year didn’t end well for Keys as they were humiliated by leaders Pooler on their own turf, while Bedwas lost their first match of the season – away to Bargoed – after nine straight successes.

Those results mean Keys sit 10th, just six points off basement boys Tata Steel, and Bedwas are now 16 points adrift of Pontypool, but they do have two games in hand.

Bedwas were resounding 41-9 winners when the teams met in the reverse fixture in September, and the rivals have been at opposite ends of the table since.

Keys head coach Morgan Stoddart has made a handful of changes to the side that lost 54-3 last Saturday.

In the front row, Owen Peddle and Zac Hewlett both return to start in place of Richard Cornock and Connah Vaughan at loosehead and hooker respectively.

Andrews partners Callum Hague, who replaces Harvey Reader, in the second row, the one change in the back row sees Spencer Gibson come in for Chris Johnsey.

Gibson’s inclusion at number eight means Gwion Jones moves across to the blindside.

In the backs, Loui O’Brien switches from full-back to outside-half with Curtis Povey slotting into the number 15 shirt.

On the wing, Dan Hitchings is fit again to start in place of Adam Tetley who moves into the centre to replace Wes Cunliffe.

Bedwas head coach Stefan Sankala makes a few tweaks to the side that took to the field at Bargoed Park.

Dale Rogers back to number eight from hooker with Mike Dacey coming off the bench to start in the front row.

Kelvyn Williams takes over the tighthead jersey with Rhys Hutcherson on the bench.

In the backs, Owain Keane gets the nod at scrum-half in place of Matt Bancroft.

The coaches have opted for a three forwards-two backs combination on the bench with recalls for Dan Scott, Rory Harries and Bradley Williams.

Leighton Jones makes wholesale changes to his Pontypool team for the trip to Beddau.

Kieran Meek switches from centre to fly-half with Richard Powell out, Marcus Jones takes Duan Thomas’ place on the right wing and Jordan Thomas starts on the opposite flank with Amosa Nove moving to inside centre.

Up front, Lewis Ball and Craig Price come into the front row, Curtis Gregory replaces Dan Hodge at lock, and Adam Stratton and Ben Sparks get the nod in the back row.

In the Premiership, Newport know a win against Bridgend at the Brewery Field today would ease their relegation worries.

Boss Ty Morris makes five changes to the side that started the 26-20 defeat to Carmarthen Quins on December 14.

Lewis Smout replaces Dan Preece at loosehead, Ben Carter comes into the second row for Dan Partridge and Josh Skinner starts on the blindside in place of Morgan Burgess.

Behind the pack, Dafydd Buckland partners Matt O’Brien in the half-backs and Dai Richards gets the nod at full-back. Luke Crane and Llywarch ap Myrddin miss out.

Bedwas (at Cross Keys): J Hallett; G Collins, M Williams, L Bowden, J Rees; D McIntosh, O Keane; T Devine, M Dacey, K Williams, C Hudd, M Bovington, J Richards, J Armitage (capt), D Rogers. Reps: R Hutcherson, D Scott, O Jones, R Harries, B Williams.

Cross Keys (home to Bedwas): C Povey; D Hitchings, A Tetley, C Nicholls, A Upton; L O’Brien, Z Bartlett; O Peddle, Z Hewlett, J Rogers, S Andrews (capt), C Hague, G Jones, J Thomas, S Gibson. Reps: C Vaughan, R Cornock, J Wall, W Cunliffe, K Hill.

Newport (at Bridgend): D Richards; H Lang, J Morris, T Pascoe, E Frewen, M O’Brien, D Buckland; L Smout, M Dwyer, T Piper, B Carter, J Bartlett, J Skinner, K Tayler, R Jenkins (capt). Reps: D Preece, H Palmer, G Harris, A Mann, J Reid, G Watkin, G O’Driscoll, C Edwards.

Pontypool (at Beddau): G Walsh; M Jones, P Lewis, A Nove, J Thomas; K Meek, A Quick; A Coundley, L Ball, C Price, C Gregory, R Clarke, S Matthews (capt), A Stratton, B Sparks. Reps: A N Other, D Hughes, A N Other, O Leonard, M Lewis.