CROSS Keys will attempt to tune-up for the British and Irish Cup by overcoming a stern challenge from Ebbw Vale in the Principality Premiership this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

Keys, runners-up in both the league and Swalec Cup to Pontypridd last year, earned the right to represent Gwent in the cross-border competition by beating the Steelmen and Newport at the start of the season.

They host Doncaster next weekend before travelling to Bedford and a bruising derby will be perfect preparation for going toe-to-toe with English packs.

Keys recorded a superb win against Cardiff in the capital last weekend but make seven changes to the starting XV.

Lokc Simon Williams makes his first start for the club while loosehead Luke Garrett, hooker Darren Hughes, tighthead Craig Gould, flanker Reuben Tucker, wing Nathan Trowbridge and full-back James Cordy-Redden also get the nod.

Ebbw will be looking for their pack to fire after a spluttering performance in last weekend's 25-22 defeat to Newport at Eugene Cross Park.

Loosehead Ross Jones, hooker Mathew Williams and tighthead Gethin Jenkins return to the Ebbw front row while Iain Smerdon gets the nod at fly-half.

The Steelmen also hand a start to full-back Craig Duncan, who has signed on a development contract along with wing Ryan Gardner after catching the eye with RTB Vale.

It was tight when the sides met in the BIC qualifier in August, with Keys edging a 16-13 win, and another nailbiter is likely.

Newport are boosted by the return of lock/back row Sam Waldron for their trip to winless Bridgend.

The 34-year-old has been sidelined after suffering a leg injury against Bargoed in pre-season but slots in on the Black and Ambers' bench.

Newport possess plenty of pace out wide as teenage Dragons Academy centre Barney Nightingale makes his first start after impressing off the bench at Eugene Cross Park while Jon Morris, Ashton Hewitt and Geraint O'Driscoll join forces in the back three.

Rhys Jenkins comes in for Brendan Lampitt after the blindside suffered a blow to the shoulder against Ebbw.

Bedwas welcome back abrasive number eight Deri Mattravers for their home encounter with on-song Carmarthen Quins.

The 39-year-old skippers the side at Bridge Field and is joined in the back row by Dragons and Wales Under-20s flanker James Benjamin while regional wing Matthew Pewtner slots in at outside centre.

The Quins have won all three of their Premiership games while Bedwas will be looking for a spirited performance similar to the one that saw them stun Keys on their own patch rather than the displays that led to home losses to Newport, Llanelli and Aberavon.

Cross Keys (v Ebbw Vale): J Cordy-Redden, L Lewis, L Andrews (captain), P Uhi, N Trowbridge, D Jones, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, C Gould, D Hodge, S Williams, R Tucker, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, A Lott, R Cornock/K Bale, J Skinner, N Williams, E Jones, O Jones, C Townsend.

Ebbw Vale (at Cross Keys): C Duncan, W Cunliffe, T Hiscock, N Preece, O Williams, I Smerdon, R Downes, R Jones, M Williams, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, C Regan, R Kynes, H Keddie.

Newport (at Bridgend): G O'Driscoll, A Hewitt, B Nightingale, D Franchi, J Morris, M O'Brien, A Quick, D Pattison, D Rogers, J Monk, Adam Brown, D Partridge, R Jenkins, O Griffiths (captain), S Feehan. Replacements : W Evans, O Evans, A Jeffries, S Waldron, S Cross, J Murphy, J Lewis, J Mogg.

Bedwas (v Carmarthen Quins): H Thomson, R Budina, M Pewtner, A Pinches, M John, J Maynard, L Jones, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, P Rees, A Lee, J Benjamin, J Sawyer, D Mattravers (captain). Replacements: R Hutcherson, D Preece, I Jenkins, J Walker, S Grainger, T Rowlands, R Powell, M Callow.