Four months on from being the man in the middle at Twickenham when New Zealand retained the Webb Ellis Trophy, the Welsh Rugby Union have appointed Owens as referee for the biggest domestic encounter of the weekend.
Second-placed Swansea visit table-topping Merthyr in an attempt to bridge the eight point gap between the two teams at the top. The All Whites have a game in hand, but need to win to stand any realistic chance of taking the title.
After beating Swansea 33-20 in the first meeting at St Helen’s in October, Merthyr have named a strong side for the return fixture. Wales and British & Irish Lions No.8 Andy Powell will lead the home side as they chase a fifteenth successive victory of the season.
The only team to lower Merthyr’s colours so far this season has been third-placed Pontypool, who triumphed 20-13 at Merthyr on the 3 October.
Gavin Dacey makes his home debut for Merthyr following his move from Pontypridd, as Lee Jarvis’ side look to extend their lead at the top with 18th win in 19 Championship games. Meanwhile, fourth-placed RGC 1404 look to build on their 11-8 cup victory over Aberavon as they host Glynneath and fifth-placed Bargoed welcome Newbridge with 4 games in hand.
Third-placed Pontypool are also in action as they visit Bridgend Athletic seeking to improve their promotion chances.
Pooler captain Ben Parry knows a slip-up against Bridgend must be avoided as Pontypool strive for form ahead of vital fixtures against RGC and Merthyr.
Speaking in the South Wales Argus, Parry said: “”These games are going to be critical. We will go week to week but know if we produce good performances we should get the wins to set up those big games against RGC and Merthyr. Promotion is in our own hands and we want to get promoted as soon as possible so that we can enjoy the rest of the season and look forward to what is to come in the Premiership.”
The Principality Premiership undergoes a drastic shake-up next season as it expands from 12 to 16 teams. These teams are guaranteed a three years preserved status in Wales’ top-flight, and the battle for the four promotion spots from the Championship is comprised of five teams.
Meanwhile, the Premiership season continues with bottom-placed Neath trying to reignite their season against seventh placed Llanelli, and Neath Head Coach Gareth Llewellyn remains upbeat ahead of the clash.
Speaking in the South Wales Evening Post, Llewellyn said: “We’ve got to nail things down ourselves. Llanelli have been going well recently with nearly 200 points from their last four games so we must rise to the challenge… Although results are not going our way, we remain very optimistic for the future.”
Elsewhere Premiership leaders Pontypridd travel to fourth-placed Aberavon as they look to increase their gap at the top. Second-placed Ebbw Vale are also in action as they visit mid-table Cross Keys and third-placed Llandovery play away against Bedwas with the Premiership title-race heating up.
