Now the Ironmen are the team to catch as they attempt to make it a hat-trick of Premiership titles.
Round 9 kicks-off at Eugene Cross Park with the champions of the past two years looking to make the most of their current two-point advantage and put some real distance between them and the Steelmen.
With Nigel Owens in the middle for tonight’s (Friday, 26 October) live BBC Scrum V TV game, it has all the makings of a great occasion. Dragons outside-half Josh Lewis returns to his former stamping ground to help out at No 10 with Rhys Jones moving into the centre.
Lewis has made eight regional appearances for the Dragons this season since his return to Welsh rugby from Bath, but Jason Tovey is filling the pivot role at Ulster tonight following his permit move from Cross Keys.
Home skipper Ronny Kynes knows it is going to be a big battle and refers to the Ironmen as the ‘Manchester City’ of the Premiership following their league and cup double last season.
Ebbw were beaten by them 10-6 in the semi-finals of the cup last season and then went down 17-14 in the league.
“Merthyr have got a great squad and a big budget. They are a really tough side, but we want to be beating teams like them,” said Kynes.
“We’ve come close before, losing a close one in the cup and from the last play of the game in the league. We’d love to get one over them and to do that we have to take away their set piece.”
The Steelmen lost their unbeaten record against Pontypridd at Sardis Road last weekend, but still escaped from the House of Pain with a losing bonus point in a 24-19 defeat.
Now they have a chance to return to the top of the table with a win over Merthyr.
“It could have gone either way at Ponty. We’ve still won seven out of our eight games and we would have bitten your hand off for that at the start of the season,” added Kynes.
Merthyr’s only defeat to date this season came at home against Aberavon, when they were upset 22-14 on September 22. The experienced Gareth Davies comes in at outside-half to attempt to guide his side around the field and skipper Craig Locke will be at the heart of a big, aggressive pack.
Principality Premiership – Round 9
Friday, 26 October
Ebbw Vale v Merthyr (7.30pm)
Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond; Steff Thomas, Carl Meyer, Rhys Jones, Toby Fricker; Josh Lewis, Sam Ireland; Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Rob Sevenoaks, Kristian Parker, Lance Randall, Cameron Regan, Ronny Kynes (captain), Lewis Young
Reps: Rhys Francis, Joel Harries, Curtis Hicks, Rhys Clarke, Owen Young, Matt Flanagan, Aneurin Owen, Paul King
Merthyr: Matthew Jarvis; Kyle Evans, Terri Gee, Arron Pinches, Jay Baker; Gareth Davies, Justin James; James Howe, Rhys Williams, Louis Jones, Paddy McBride, Craig Locke (captain), Nick White, Jack Perkins, Phil Rees
Reps: Matt Dwyer, Sam Hobbs, Ben Warren, Hemi Barnes, Jake Thomas, Adam Hoskins, Richard Powell, Lewis Williams
Saturday, 27 October
Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend (1.30pm)
Aberavon v Cardiff (2.30pm)
Llanelli v Bedwas (2.30pm)
Neath v Newport (2.30pm)
Pontypridd v Cross Keys (2.30pm)
RGC 1404 v Bargoed (2.30pm)
Swansea v Llandovery (2.30pm)
