EBBW Vale may be dreaming of Principality Stadium but this afternoon they switch their attention to the Premiership and a clash with Swansea.

The Steelmen made it through to the semi-finals of the WRU National Cup by beating Bargoed on Wednesday and Merthyr stand between them and a big day out in the capital.

First, however, they must concentrate on the league with games coming thick and fast, starting with the Whites at Eugene Cross Park today.

Ebbw have been in fine form since Greg Woods took the reins in December and, despite a disappointment at Llandovery last weekend, could still be involved at the tussle at the top.

That would need them to win games like this afternoon’s against a Swansea side who have won two of seven.

Woods keeps changes to a minimum with Sam Ireland getting a chance at scrum-half and hooker Joe Franchi continuing to rotate with Rhys Francis.

Newport are also in the last four of the cup thanks to Tuesday’s magnificent win at Bedwas and they also entertain western opposition this weekend.

County’s clash with Crewe means they must wait until tomorrow before hosting bottom club Neath, who will be more dangerous than their record of seven losses from seven suggests.

The Black and Ambers have gone well since the turn of the year and will be keen to build momentum for their last-four date with Llandovery.

Bedwas are looking to respond to their defeat to the Black and Ambers by causing what would be an upset against title-chasing Carmarthen Quins, even though the game is at Bridge Field.

The hosts have lost several key figures to injury, notably influential captain George Lee in the back row, but head coach Ian Gardner is looking for a response.

Bedwas have already played Merthyr and Pontypridd since east joined west so a triumph against the second-placed Quins would give them a strong chance of challenging towards the head of the table.

Both Cross Keys and Bargoed are looking to respond to cup disappointments with victory at Pandy Park.

Twelfth-placed Keys were edged out by the Drovers as their side has a youthful look to it as they prepare for next season, when the threat of the drop returns to the Premiership.

They hand a debut to Dragons academy prospect Garin Price at blindside flanker.

Bargoed, who sit 14th, are aiming to repeat their September success at Pandy Park. They are fuelled by the last-eight tie with Ebbw getting away from them in the second half.

Ebbw Vale (v Swansea): D Haymond, T Fricker, J Lewis, D Franchi, S Thomas, D Langdon, S Ireland, J Harries, J Franchi, R Sevenoaks, K Parker, L Randall, R Clarke, R Kynes (captain), L Young. Reps: R Francis, J Rogers, AN Other, J Davies, C Regan, D Jones, L Dennett, S Majkic

Newport (v Neath): H Simons, J Morris, C Smith, A Sabri, E Frewen, M O’Brien, O Davies, N Boyce, H Palmer, T Piper, A Mann, J Bartlett, M Burgess, J Reid, A Everett. Replacements: W Evans, J Lavender, G Harris, J Little, M George, R Bates, H Lang, G O’Driscoll.

Bedwas (v Carmarthen Quins): L Evans, P Lewis, M Callow, A Williams, M John, S Jones, T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees (captain), R Hutcherson, G Edmunds, G Allen, R Brookson, J Richards, A Waite. Replacements: D Preece, M Dacey, J Williams, D Rogers, T Devine, L Crane, M Hathaway, A Bramwell.

Cross Keys (v Bargoed): L Andrews, M Powell, B Nightingale, P Williams, N Trowbridge, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, S Evans, T Lampard, S Andrews, G Price, J Thomas, S Matthews (captain). Replacements: Z Hewlett, C Hewlett, R Cornock, A Gibson, AN Other, C Shephard, O Leonard, B Snell.

Fixtures: Bedwas v Carmarthen Q, Cross Keys v Bargoed, Ebbw v Swansea, Llanelli v RGC, Merthyr v Bridgend, Pontypridd v Llandovery. Tomorrow: Newport v Neath.