Keys’ start to the season has already seen them qualify for the British & Irish cup with comfortable wins over Newport and Bedwas as well as four pre-season friendly victories. Understandably, the mood amongst Greg Woods’ side is positive as they start their season against the side which finished bottom last year.
The Whites saw their British & Irish Cup qualifying campaign ended by Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground but with former Wales hooker Mefin Davies assisted by Kevin Hopkins, Ian Hopkins and former Scarlets flanker Richie Pugh, they will be looking to improve on last season’s finish.
Davies has strengthened his squad with several new signings over the summer including experienced winger Darren Daniel from Carmarthen Quins, former Pontypool back row man Sam Pailor, scrum half Justin James from Llanelli and centre Paul Davies who arrives from Llandovery. They will also be able to call upon IRB Junior World Player of the Year Sam Davies as well as Nicky Thomas and Rhodri Hughes who have both impressed with Wales Under 20.
“We’re not going to completely forget about last season – we want to learn from our mistakes and use that as motivation for this season,” said Swansea captain Sam Kiley.
“We’re quite happy with a few signings we’ve made. We’ve got Justin James at scrum half, who I’ve played with in the past. He’s a great guy, a great player and he’s a great signing for the club. We’ve got a few youngsters too, the likes of Rhodri Hughes, Nicky Thomas and Nicky Smith.
“Cross Keys is a very difficult game to be honest. We’ve been watching them very closely in pre-season and they’ve had some very good results. It’s a big challenge for us but it’s a home game and we need to hit the ground running this season.”
Last season Keys inflicted the double on Swansea but Woods will know his side need to start afresh ahead of a new campaign.
Keys feature two Dragons in a side showing some changes to the side that started at Bedwas last Saturday. Nathan Buck starts at prop with Reuben Tucker replacing Rhys Peebles in the back row and Angus O’Brien starting at fly half in place of Dorian Jones.
Swansea: 15 Joshua Hamer 14 Richard Williams 13 Aled Jenkins 12 David Watts 11 Andrew Claypole 10 Nicky Thomas 9 Jake Cole, 1 Nicky Smith 2 Scott Otten 3 Nicky Thomas 4 Teaghan Price 5 Rhodri Hughes 6 James McKenna 7 Robert Dudley-Jones 8 Samuel Pailor.
Replacements: Paul Llewllyn John, Aled Mason, Thomas Sloane, Benjamin Fox, Tudor Hughes, Justin James, Stephen Davies, Nicholas Harwood.
Cross Keys: 15 Aaron Bramwell 14 Luke Williams 13 Leon Andrews (c) 12 Phil Williams 11 Nathan Trowbridge 10 Angus O’Brien 9 Ryan James, 1 Richard Cornock 2 Gerwyn Price 3 Nathan Buck 4 Danny Hodge 5 Tom Lampard 6 Reuben Tucker 7 Scott Matthews 8 Jevon Groves.
Replacements: Luke Garrett, Darren Hughes, Anthony Lott, Scott Andrews, Rhys Peebles, Rhys Dyer, Dorian Jones, Rhys Jones.
