EBBW Vale captain Damien Hudd believes the winners of tomorrow's derby with Cross Keys will be in prime position to kick on and challenge at the head of the Principality Premiership.

Both teams enjoyed excellent 2014/15 campaigns and met at Eugene Cross Park in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Ebbw took the spoils in a bruising battle before being downed by Pontypridd at Sardis Road and it promises to be another uncompromising encounter this weekend (kick-off 1.30pm).

Both teams are tipped to be challenging for honours again this season and the Steelmen, now under the stewardship of Nigel Davies, battled back from a 50-0 thumping at Llandovery to make it four wins out of five with a 34-22 success against Cardiff last weekend.

Keys, meanwhile, won their third game on the spin by beating Bridgend 18-0 at Pandy Park.

"They are on fire at the moment while we had a decent 40 minutes against Cardiff last week but know we need to be better," said Hudd.

"We showed a good mental attitude after Llandovery to get what we needed with a bonus point win but we have to follow it up.

"This is a massive game with the added spice of it being a derby. We played them four times last season and it was 2-2 and whoever wins this one will aim to kick on this season.

"If we can make it five wins from six then that's a decent start while they could probably be five from five but it would be a good start for them if they get another win.

"Cross Keys are always strong in the tight five, have a very good back row and quality centres. They are a good all-round side and it will be brutal up front but both of us have also shown the ability to play good rugby."

Hudd referenced Keys' frustrating start to the season when they threw away commanding positions against both Llandovery and Cardiff.

Their recovery against Bedwas, Llanelli and Bridgend is timely given that their trip to Ebbw is followed by a clash with champions Ponty.

"They are two of the best sides in the league and this will be a good gauge of where we are at," said head coach Greg Woods.

"It will be a big challenge and the intensity goes up another level against Ebbw Vale's monster pack and their fanatical support.

"Our set piece has got to function, we need to match their physicality at the breakdown and take our opportunities, which we did when beating them at Eugene Cross Park in the league but didn't do in the play-off semi-final."