Friday night sees Cardiff host Ebbw Vale and Neath entertain Bedwas, while on Saturday Llandovery will be the destination of the reigning champions Pontypridd. Carmarthen Quins will be the venue for a local derby clash against Llanelli on the same day.
Sunday sees Newport host current league leaders Aberavon. Bridgend and Cross Keys meet in the SSE Swalec Cup on Friday night.
With only seven points separating the top six teams it looks like being one of the tightest finishes in the history of the tournament. The Wizards might be on the top of the table at the moment, but Llandovery, Pontypridd, Cross Keys and Newport have all been there before them this season.
Pontypridd have won 14 and their last 15 competitive games against the Drovers and drawn the other one. You have to go back to Tuesday, 16 March, 2010, for the last Llanharan win in the Premiership, a 33-17 triumph at Church Bank. With only one point separating the two teams – Llanharan have 50 points in second and Ponty 49 in third – victory will be crucial for both sides.
Scrum half Tom Slater will make his 100th appearance for Cardiff when he starts against Ebbw Vale. Slater played his first debut in Blue & Black in August, 2009, in Cornwall against the Cornish Pirates.
Matt O’Brien takes over from younger brother Angus in the No 10 jersey for Newport for their clash with league leaders Aberavon at Rodney Parade on Sunday. The Black & Ambers haven’t been able to play at home in the Premiership since 5 December, when they beat Neath.
Newport have not played on home soil in the Premiership since their December 5 thumping of Neath that saw them go level on points with Cross Keys at the head of the table. Despite losing 10-6 in a Foster’s Challenge Cup game at Cross Keys in midweek, team manager Mark Workman isn’t worried about his team being ready for the Wizards.
“Aberavon are going well, but we are confident. We’d love to get the win having gone there and lost to the last kick of the game earlier in the season,” said Workman.
“We were pleased to get a game at Keys earlier in the week, although the heavy conditions meant it was a forward-orientated game.”
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP
12 February
Cardiff v Ebbw Vale
Neath v Bedwas
13 February
Carmarthen Quins v Llanelli
Llandovery v Pontypridd
14 February
Newport v Aberavon
