THE thought of reigning champions Ebbw Vale missing the halfway cut in this season’s Principality Premiership is not something head coach Nigel Davies wants to think about.

The league splits into two divisions of eight on January 7 but if it were to happen now then the Steelmen would miss out on the chance to defend their crown.

They are currently in ninth place, however, just six points separate them and Pontypridd in third, meaning the make-up of the top echelon is likely to go down to the wire.

Ebbw head to Bridge Field on Boxing Day to take on fifth-placed Bedwas (kick-off 4.45pm) for a game that is being broadcast live on S4C.

If Davies’ men can beat Bedwas they will then have home games against Cardiff (December 31) and Cross Keys (January 7) to cement their position in the top eight.

But Bedwas is the only focus for Davies, who said: “It’s pretty much a must-win game for us.

“I always said you would need 40 points (Ebbw have 33) to qualify for the top eight, and more importantly, it was always going to come down to these three games.

“When you looked at the table a few months ago it was pretty tight, and it’s just like that now, so it makes for an exciting part of the season.”

He added: “Bedwas have had a really good season. I’ve seen quite a lot of them and they are playing a good brand of rugby.

“We want to be in control of our own destiny and this game is going to be a huge challenge for us.”

Like Ebbw, Bedwas lost their last league outing, a 15-11 reverse at Cross Keys, but they did avenge that defeat by hammering the same opponents 48-8 in the Foster’s Challenge Cup.

Looking ahead to Boxing Day, Bedwas supremo Steve Law said: “I’d like to think one more win and we’ll definitely be in the top eight.

“We don’t want to take anything for granted because there aren’t many points between third and ninth, but a lot of the teams play each other in the next few fixtures.

“We have been there or thereabouts in recent seasons so for us to make the top eight wouldn’t have been unrealistic at the start of the campaign.

After Ebbw, Bedwas entertain Llanelli on December 31 and then travel to Cardiff on January 7.

Elsewhere, Cardiff host Pontypridd tonight, while also on Boxing Day, Neath go to Aberavon, Bargoed entertain Bridgend, Llandovery visit Carmarthen and Swansea welcome Llanelli to St Helen’s.

Merthyr, who currently lead the table by three points from Aberavon, host North Wales outfit RGC 1404 on December 27.