THE tussle for the Principality Premiership playoffs is hotting up but there is still some uncertainty over when the final round of the regular season will take place, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 12 clubs are scheduled to play their final fixtures on Saturday, April 25, a date that clashes with the regional double-header at the Millennium Stadium.

That has led to Cardiff's encounter with Ebbw Vale at the Arms Park being postponed and all final round fixtures are meant to be played concurrently.

The Welsh Rugby Union have sent a letter stating that they expect all games to be moved.

It is understood that the favoured date for playing the fixtures is Sunday afternoon but not all clubs are happy with that decision and will debate the issue at a meeting next week.

On the pitch, the Steelmen will lose their top spot if Pontypridd win at Bridgend with a bonus point this afternoon while Cross Keys need to beat Cardiff at Pandy Park.

Sixth-placed Keys are still in the playoff hunt but suffered a setback against Bedwas last weekend, although they did bag a pair of consolation bonus points from a 37-31 defeat.

However, they have very little margin for error and, after winning in the capital in September, need to do the double against the Blue and Blacks, who sit in fourth.

Tom Lampard moves to openside in the absence of Scott Matthews, who is on Dragons duty, while James Cordy-Redden slots in at full-back with James Leadbeater returning to his favoured scrum-half position.

Bedwas will attempt to keep their fine run of form going with a tricky encounter at Aberavon, who are a tougher team than their 10th place suggests.

Last week's derby win at Bridge Field followed an equally impressive win at Aberavon and they will need to hit those standards against the Wizards, who are fresh from a victory against Llandovery.

Last season Steve Law's men won at the Talbot Athletic Ground for the first time thanks to a try by back row forward Deri Mattravers and 11 points from the boot of fly-half Richard Powell in a 16-11 victory.

Bedwas have tighthead Corey Gardner among their replacements on permit from Senghenydd.

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, P Uhi, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, N Trowbridge, E Davies, J Leadbeater, R Cornock, D Hughes, A Lott, D Hodge, S Williams, R Tucker, T Lampard, A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, L Brown, C Gould, J Skinner, N Williams, E Jones, R Dyer, C Townsend

Bedwas: H Thomson, R Budina, M Callow, A Pinches, L Hudd, J Maynard, L Crane, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, P Rees (captain), J Walker, J Richards, J Sawyer, D Mattravers. Replacements: R Wilkes, D Preece, C Gardner, A Lee, S Grainger, T Rowlands, R Powell, S Thomas.