A home defeat to Pontypridd in the opening game of the season saw Cross Keys off to a bad start but they have won their next four games to see them move into second place. And a win away to Llanelli could see Greg Woods’ side go top if other results go their way.
After consecutive wins over Bridgend, Aberavon, Swansea and Neath, Keys will travel west in confident mood and make a total of eight changes to the team that started in the victory over Neath last weekend.
The visitors are already without skipper Rob Nash through suspension with Richard Cornock joining him after being suspended for five weeks following a sighting in the game with Bridgend. Also unavailable is Danny Hodge who picked up his third yellow card of the season last Saturday. Scrum half Rhys Dyer will lead out the Keys side while Greg Woods is fortunate to be able to call on the services of Dragons prop Tim Ryan.
With a number of players unavailable due to injury and suspension, Keys will need to show the same, if not better form than they have shown in recent weeks if they are to return with a positive result.
Last season, Keys managed to claim the treble over Llanelli with two league wins and a success in the British and Irish Cup quarter-final.
Back in October, Keys secured a bonus point win as they ran in five tries at Pandy Park. In the return fixture of this year, Keys had Steffan Jones to thank as he scored all of his side’s points in the narrowest of wins before Keys ran out convincing 32-8 winners in the British and Irish Cup.
With both teams in the top five, the fixture promises to be a cracker.
The home side welcome back full back Alec Jenkins from Neath for his first game of the season while Chris Keenan is also back from injury following a cycling accident.
Utility back Johnny Lewis plays at outside half and is partnered by quicksilver scrum half Aled Davies.
Injured players Owen Williams, Diggy Bird and Craig Hawkins are hoping to be fit for next week’s clash with Llandovery.
“This match must be the Principality Premiership game of the week and I can only hope the referee Jon Mason and both teams all perform to their highest level,” said Llanelli head of rugby Anthony Buchanan.
“The ingredients are there for a fantastic match and can I appeal to all our supporters to come along, bring your family and friends and enjoy what I’m sure will be a top contest.”
Cross Keys: 15 Gareth David 14 Luke Williams 13 Luke Ford 12 Aled James 11 Nathan Trowbridge 10 Dorian Jones 9 Rhys Dyer (c), 1 Anthony Lott 2 Jamie Sollis 3 Tim Ryan 4 Scott Andrews 5 Ollie Hodge 6 Rhys Peebles 7 Scott Matthews 8 Adam Powell.
Replacements: Sean Higgins, Garry Horrigan, James Johnstone, Gerwyn Price, Elliot Jones, Dean Gunter, Jonathan Lewis, Ryan James.
Llanelli: 15 Alec Jenkins 14 Bowdy Davies 13 Nic Reynolds 12 Chris Keenan 11 Justin James 10 Johnny Lewis 9 Aled Davies, 1 Rhys Thomas 2 Kirby Myhill 3 Aled Hopkins 4 Adam Powell (c) 5 Ed Price 6 Duane Eager 7 Daniel Thomas 8 Craig Price.
Replacements: Tom Sloane, Tomos Wilson, Jake Ball, Nathan White, Stuart Leach, Kyle Evans, Steffan Evans, Sean McDonnell-Roberts.
Referee: Jonathan Mason
