WITH the destiny of the Principality Premiership title all but decided and the top three not in league action, the battle to avoid the drop will take centre stage today.

What we know so far is that Neath, Bargoed and Cross Keys are down, meaning there is one automatic relegation place still to be filled.

Three teams – Bridgend, Bedwas and Llanelli – could finish in that unlucky 13th position, while the side that ends the season in 12th will also be in danger of going down.

As things stand, Bedwas occupy that spot, which would result in a play-off with Championship winners Pontypool for the right to play in the top flight next term.

But Bedwas know that they are now relying on other clubs to do them a favour in the hope of keeping their Premiership status.

That’s because the Bridge Field outfit are two points clear of Bridgend immediately below them, but the Ravens have two games in hand and four left overall.

Bedwas have two fixtures remaining, at Aberavon today (kick-off 2.30pm) and home to Swansea next Saturday, so even if they win both of those, it could all be in vain.

Stefan Sankala’s men will have their fingers crossed that Gwent rivals Bargoed can do them a favour this afternoon when Bridgend visit Bargoed Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Llanelli have one match left, a virtually guaranteed five-pointer against Neath next weekend, and currently hold a six-point advantage over Bedwas so should face a play-off at the very least.

The Bedwas team for their trip to the Talbot Athletic Ground sees Gareth Allen and Dale Rogers start at lock and number eight respectively, with Nathan Hudd moving to the blindside.

In the backs, Will Talbot-Davies drops out of the matchday squad and Jordan Rees comes back on to the left wing.

On the bench, Sam Cochrane, Liam Beer and Sion Parry are all recalled and there’s a place for the evergreen Deri Mattravers, who is still going strong in his mid-40s.

Meanwhile, further up the table, Ebbw Vale have a 20th win of the season in their sights when they host Neath (kick-off 2.30pm).

There’s a double change in the centre with Lloyd Evans and Dai Langdon replacing Paul King and Aneurin Owen.

Up front, Joe Franchi, Rhys Clarke and Dawid Rubasniak replace Rhys Francis, Cameron Regan and Lloyd Evans.

In the Championship, champions Pontypool can take another step closer to the 100-point mark with a 20th victory of the campaign at Tata Steel (kick-off 2.30pm).

Bargoed (home to Bridgend): C Jones; D Dyer, J Howells, B Nightingale, A Norton; J Prosser, J Leadbeater; J Lavender, R Buckley, A Gardner-Key, G Edmunds, M Thomas, J Locke, G Rogers, L Blacker (capt). Reps: L Ellaway, J Purcell, J Bunyan, W Langley, A Powell, A Coupe, K Bale, M Kavanagh.

Bedwas (at Aberavon): T Benjamin; D Smith, T Hoppe, A Williams, J Rees; J Scrivens, L Crane; B Toms, A Rees (capt), R James, C Hudd, G Allen, N Hudd, J Armitage, D Rogers. Reps: S Cochrane, R Hutcherson, L Beer, S Parry, D Mattravers, R Harries, J Chilcott, D McIntosh.

Ebbw Vale (home to Neath): D Haymond; D Howells, L Evans, D Langdon, S Thomas; R Jones, S Ireland; L Garrett, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, K Parker, A Sweet (capt), R Clarke, D Rubasniak, L Young. Reps: J Franchi, J Harries, M Davies, L Randall, C Regan, D Jones, M Flanagan, L Shore.