EBBW Vale put their three-match winning streak against Carmarthen Quins on the line this afternoon with half an eye on next weekend’s cup semi-final at Pandy Park.

The Steelmen face league leaders Merthyr in Cross Keys on April 7 but have a Principality Premiership double-header over Easter to contend with first.

It’s second-placed Quins at The Park today (kick-off 1.30pm) and then a Eugene Cross Park encounter with Aberavon on Monday.

And they are two fixtures head coach Greg Woods feels Ebbw must respect before fully focusing on the National Cup semi against Merthyr.

“It’s a huge game for us next weekend but we’ve got two before then and we need to respect those,” he said.

Woods’ charges go to Carmarthen lying seventh in the table following a comfortable 43-3 defeat of Swansea.

“The defence has been good since I’ve been here and that’s really pleasing,” added Woods.

“We’ve had a lot more go-forward as well and created plenty of try-scoring opportunities.”

Their recent record versus the Quins bodes well with three consecutive victories in as many meetings, two of those coming out west.

However, the Quins have put themselves in a great position to challenge for the title thanks to six wins and a draw from eight.

They did go top of the standings earlier this month but then lost for the first time in the second part of the campaign when Cardiff eased home 34-10 at The Park on March 17.

Meanwhile, there is a big Gwent derby in the Championship tomorrow as Newbridge host champions Pontypool at the Welfare Ground (kick-off 2.30pm).

Pooler secured back-to-back titles last weekend with a 54-10 thrashing of Cardiff Met in the capital, while Newbridge recorded a superb 34-12 victory over Trebanos to stay in fifth.