EBBW Vale have been handed a number of fitness boosts ahead of their mouth-watering Swalec Cup clash with holders Pontypridd.

South African centre Carl Meyer, lock Ashley Sweet and back row forwards Cameron Regan and Spencer Gibson have all overcome injuries to feature in the clash at Eugene Cross Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Their presence is welcome as the Steelmen, who are second in the Principality Premiership, attempt to bounce back from league defeats to Cross Keys and Aberavon and also gain revenge for a tight encounter two years ago.

Ponty edged to a 23-22 success thanks to a late try by lock Chris Dicomidis and a nerveless conversion by fly-half Dai Flanagan.

Cross Keys will attempt to become the most famous scalp in RGC 1404’s short history when they travel to Parc Eirias.

Keys have hit fine form to propel themselves right into the mix for the Premiership playoffs and will be keen to keep chasing silverware on two fronts.

They will be up against an RGC side that sit fourth in the Swalec Championship but who have been making confident noises in the build-up.

Keys have selected a strong side for the clash up north and will be looking for their strong pack to win the set piece battle and for full-back James Cordy-Redden, wing Polu Uhi and flanker Scott Matthews to make plenty of yards in the loose.

Newport need to give their supporters some cheer by avoiding a banana skin at Tata Steel.

The Black and Ambers are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership so a place in the quarter-finals would give them a real lift as they aim to reel in Neath.

They progressed thanks to a hard-earned win against Aberavon and face a side that sit eight in the Championship and lost 29-21 to Newbridge last weekend.

There’s an all-Championship affair in Merthyr when Newbridge attempt to keep their fine run of form going.

The Welfare Ground side have won five of their last six with their latest success a fine 29-21 win at Narberth.

‘Bridge are clearly in better shape than when they lost 15-9 when the sides met in Gwent in November and boast plenty of experience in midfield with two former Newport and Dragons players in Scott Williams and Nathan Brew joining forces.

Bedwas welcome Cardiff Met to Bridge Field (kick-off 3.30pm) and will hope to enjoy the same fate as their round one clash with Championship opposition, when they triumphed 46-10 against Pontypool.

Coach Steve Law rings the changes after last weekend’s 51-14 loss to Ponty and hands a debut to new signing George Lee at openside.

Ebbw Vale (v Pontypridd): D Haymond, W Cunliffe, A Jones, C Meyer, O Williams, I Smerdon, R Downes, R Jones, M Williams, R Sevenoaks, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, R Clarke, C Regan, S Gibson. Replacements: TBA

Cross Keys (at RGC 1404): 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, T Lampard, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, G Price-Jones, C Gould, S Andrews, N Williams, E Jones, R James, J Condy.

Newport: TBC

Newbridge: H Palmer, D Dyer, N Brew, S Williams, A Evans, C Goode, L Davies, M Kavanagh, J Bowen, G Weaver, L Burgess, D Mock, P James, S Vokes, L Blacker. Replacements: TBC

Bedwas (v Cardiff Met): S Thomas, M John, M Callow, A Pinches, R Budina, J Maynard, T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, P Rees (captain), J Walker, A Lee, G Lee, D Crimmins. Replacements: R Hutcherson, D Preece, C Gardner, J Richards, J Sawyer, L Crane, A Humberstone, L Hudd.