During the 2013/14 campaign the two teams were extremely close rivals with the Quins finishing runners-up in the league and the Keys finishing third. Whilst the Quins pulled off an impressive double in the league, Cross Keys reached the final of the Swalec Cup and beat the Quins in the semi-final play-off for the league Championship.
This season the Quins have, to date, won seven consecutive fixtures and are currently unbeaten in the league. The team is on 31 points to be in second place while Cross Keys have performed well in the British and Irish Cup but their league form has been uncharacteristically indifferent, winning just three out of their first seven matches. The Gwent side are currently in 5th position on 17 points.
Previous results however will count for nothing as the two sides resume their rivalry from last year. The Quins policy is to play a quick expansive game and there is no reason to believe they will change that philosophy for this game. Cross Keys are a big physical side who have a strong on-field presence and are difficult to breakdown. This promises to be a close game.
The Quins have strengthened their side from their victory at Neath last Friday and, in the forwards, welcome back Haydn Pugh, Shaun Jones and the youngsters, Javan Sebastian and Ryan Elias in the front row. In the backs Rhys Williams returns from Newport Gwent Dragons with Iolo Evans and Dan Jones returning from Scarlets duty in the LV Cup. On the bench both Gethin Robinson and Kieran Hardy also return from the Scarlets.
Carmarthen Quins: 15 Dion Jones 14 Gavin Thomas 13 Iolo Evans 12 Rhys Williams 11 Chris Banfield 10 Dan Jones 9 Rhod Wells; 8 Jon Williams 7 Ellis Lloyd 6 Shaun Jones 5 Haydn Pugh 4 Lee Taylor 3 Jevan Sebastian 2 Ryan Elias 1 Ian Jones.
Replacements: 16 Gethin Robinson 17 Bedwyr Davies 18 Gethin Jones 19 Aidan Laxton 20 Rhod Clancy 21 Kieran Hardy 22 Craig Evans 23 Dylan Morgan
