Saturday’s clash with the Wizards at the Brewery Field is the second of three Ospreys-regional derbies in a row for the Ravens, who face Swansea at St Helens next weekend after victory away to Neath last Saturday.
Aberavon are yet to win away from home this season but have beaten second-placed Bedwas and became the first team to take points off Llandovery this campaign, securing a thrilling 32-32 draw in their encounter at the Talbot Athletic Ground last weekend.
Despite a number of injuries and several players receiving a regional call-up due to the upcoming internationals, the Ravens have named a mostly unchanged side.
Ashley Evans replaces Tom Grabham at full-back while Rhys Ward Jones starts on the wing as cover for the injured Glen Lewis. Halfbacks Chris Williams and Jamie Murphy keep their places with the latter looking to maintain the fine recent form that has seen him shortlisted for the Premiership player of the month list for October.
Steve Winn and Nathan Edwards form the centre partnership for Ben Rose’s side.
It’s up front where the Ravens have looked strong in recent games though and Rose makes just three changes there as a result. Jonathan Thomas replaces namesake Marc, Ashleigh James starts at hooker and Shaun O’Rourke comes into the second row for Lloyd Peers who is on Ospreys duty.
Aberavon’s draw with the Drovers last week was a huge boost to a side who have struggled so far this season. The Wizards sit second bottom, three points clear of Swansea and will be looking to use last week’s result as a springboard for the rest of their season.
Bridgend:15 Ashley Evans 14 Rhys Ward Jones 13 Nathan Edwards 12 Steve Winn 11 Luke Morgan10 Jamie Murphy 9 Chris Williams, 1 Jonathan Thomas 2 Ashleigh James 3 Owen Williams 4 Shaun O’Rourke 5 Lee Davies 6 Andrew Waite 7 Jonathon Vaughan (c) 8 Adam Hillier-Rees.
Replacements: Rod Apsee, Roy Jones, Ken Dowding, Alex Jones, Scott Hicks, Ben Thomas, Kyle Barrett, Jonathan Leyshon, Alun Evans
Aberavon: 15 Jonathan Phillips 14 Richard Carter 13 Matthew Jenkins 12 William Price 11 Steffan Andrews 10 Jamie Davies 9 Joseph Heatley, 1 Rowan Jenkins 2 Evan Yardley 3 Andrew Clatworthy 4 Gavin Ronan 5 Ian Moore (c) 6 Darryl Thomas 7 Nathan Brown 8 Benjamin Thomas.
Replacements: David Thomas, Craig Evans, Ieuan Davies, Christopher Davies, Rhydian Gierat, Christopher John, Richard Morris, Neil White.
Referee: Neil Hennessy
