DRAGONS number nine Rhodri Davies will partner Jason Tovey at half-back today as Cross Keys look for a first away win of the season in the Principality Premiership.

Former Scarlets and Cardiff Blues scrum-half Davies last played alongside Tovey, who was unavailable last weekend, when Keys drew 5-5 with Llanelli at Pandy Park on November 9.

Davies and Tovey are two of three changes Keys head coach Morgan Stoddart makes to his side for a huge Brewery Field clash with Bridgend (kick-off 2.30pm).

Owain Leonard and Will Kelly make way for Davies and Tovey respectively, while Richard Cornock replaces Gary Carpenter in the front row.

On the bench, Corey Nicholls could make his return from a knee injury which has kept him out of action for more than a year.

Keys have lost all seven of their league matches on the road this term but could end that run against a side two places and one point below them near the foot of the table.

Stoddart’s men got the better of the Ravens on the first weekend of the season, winning 32-25 at Pandy Park.

Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale, who host Llanelli this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), only make two changes to the side that ended Cardiff’s nine-match winning run last time out.

Boss Greg Woods drops Paul King to the bench to accommodate Dragons winger Dafydd Howells on the right flank, while Dai Jones makes way for Matthew Flanagan at fly-half.

Bedwas face Pontypridd at Sardis Road (kick-off 5.15pm) in front of the S4C cameras.

They welcome Dragons academy outside-half Evan Lloyd into the fold for his club debut, while back-rower Bradley Hill is set to make his first start of the season following injury.

Head coach Stefan Sankala said: “We find ourselves being stretched fully in terms of player availability, but we are a resilient bunch and hope to put on a show in front of the Sardis Road faithful.”

After last Saturday’s hiding by Llandovery, Craig Warlow makes six changes for Newport’s home clash with Carmarthen Quins tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).

Club captain Rhys Jenkins returns to the starting XV and prop Dan Preece has shaken off a hamstring strain to take his place in the front row.

There is a new half-back pairing in Matt O’Brien, who comes in for Haydn Simons at 10, and Geraint Watkin, Ryan James’ replacement in the number nine jersey.

Andy Mann joins Jenkins and Kyle Tayler in the back row and tighthead Tom Piper packs down with Preece and Henry Palmer in the front row.

And Haydn Palmer makes a long-awaited return from injury to occupy one of the places on the bench.

Meanwhile, struggling Bargoed will bid to upset the odds when they go to Llandovery today (kick-off 2.30pm).

Bargoed (at Llandovery): J Mogg; J Purcell, J Howells, B Nightingale, A Norton; J Prosser, J Leadbeater, R Morgan (capt), R Buckley, D Suter, L Blacker, B Morgan, B Fry, G Rogers, A Powell. Reps: I Burgwin, C Jones, D Humphries, C Davies, W Langley, G Edmunds, K Bale, M Kavanagh.

Bedwas (at Pontypridd): J Scrivens; G Gasson, T Hoppe, A Williams, K Teear-Bourge; E Lloyd, L Crane; B Toms, M Dacey, C Budgen, J Davies, G Allen, J Armitage, B Hill, D Rogers (capt). Reps: T Devine, S Cochrane, E Evans, W Fishlock, J Hayward, T Rowlands, D McIntosh, P Lewis.

Cross Keys (at Bridgend): L Andrews; R Budina, S Majkic, D Fidler, W Cunliffe; J Tovey, R Davies; R Cornock, E Shipp, S Evans, D Welch (capt), S Andrews, T Lampard, J Thomas, I Jones. Reps: R Jenkins, G Carpenter, S Hoskins, H Reader, C Johnsey, W Kelly, O Leonard, C Nicholls.

Ebbw Vale (home to Llanelli): D Haymond; D Howells, C Meyer, J Botica, T Fricker; R Jones, M Flanagan; L Garrett, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, R Clarke, A Sweet (capt), C Regan, L Evans, L Young. Reps: J Franchi, R Jones, C Coleman, K Parker, J Davies, D Jones, A Owen, P King.

Newport (home to Carmarthen Quins): D Richards; H Lang, C Smith, G O’Driscoll, E Frewen; M O’Brien, G Watkin; D Preece, He Palmer, T Piper, J Bartlett, D Partridge, K Tayler, A Mann, R Jenkins (capt). Rep M Prosser, J Williams, G Harris, J Skinner, M Reed, R James, H Simons, Ha Palmer.