WHEN the Principality Premiership East season kicked off in August not a lot of people would have predicted tomorrow’s game at Bridge Field (kick-off 2.30pm) was going to be a top versus bottom clash, but that’s exactly what it is for leaders Bedwas and basement boys Ebbw Vale.

The visiting Steelmen won’t be hitting the panic button just yet, however, they will be eager to climb the table sooner rather than later.

They sit last of the eight teams, some 16 points behind frontrunners Bedwas, after only two wins from their six fixtures to date.

Given that they have lost all three of their home matches this term, it could be a blessing in disguise that head coach Lee Davies’ men are not playing at Eugene Cross Park this weekend.

That said, Ian Gardner’s Bedwas troops have a 100 per cent record at Bridge Field with victories over Newport, Bargoed and Cardiff.

Meanwhile, Gavin Bilton has been released by the Steelmen following a lack of attendance at training, while Andrew Mann has decided to take a year off from rugby for personal reasons.

Re-joining the club is Josh Jacas who has accepted a strict fitness regime put in place by the coaches.

Jacas sustained an ankle injury late last season and will be ready for selection for the trip to Bedwas.

Ebbw have confirmed that Dragons stars Jared Rosser, Will Talbot-Davies and Max Williams will again be allocated to the club for this season.

Wing Rosser and back-rower Williams have not yet featured after making a good early impression on new Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman.

Rosser starts for the Dragons against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park tonight, with full-back/wing Talbot-Davies on the bench.

Other Dragons allocated to Ebbw are new faces Tom Hoppe and Dan Babos, both 18, who play at centre and scrum-half respectively.

Ebbw Fawr product Dawid Rubasniak, who did well in several appearances last term, will play his rugby at Cardiff Met this season in order to gain more game time.

On the injury front, Elis Wyn Benham is very close to putting on an Ebbw shirt after working hard with Rhys Shorney to overcome a hamstring strain.

However, it appears prop Dean Brooker has sustained an ACL injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Bargoed, impressive winners at Newport last weekend, host reigning Principality Premiership kings Merthyr.

The other match in the east sees Cardiff welcome Pontypridd to the capital.