EBBW Vale will have two sets of opposition to worry about when they face Llanelli at Stradey Park on Saturday - the starting XV might be impressive, but just look at their replacements.

British Lion Robin McBryde starts as a substitute alongside Wales internationals Stephen Jones, Matt Cardey, Chris Wyatt and former Ebbw Vale prop Iestyn Thomas, while Mike Phillips and Gareth Williams have both represented Wales at Under-21s and Sevens levels respectively.

So if Vale can beat the starting XV come Saturday, which includes Wales centre Leigh Davies back from injury and American Eagle Dave Hodges at number eight, Llanelli have plenty of star options, not to mention internationals, on their bench.

After struggling with injury, Davies' return is good news for Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins and Wales' Steve Hansen alike, but Vale have chosen Scott Mitchell at number 10 to help combat the midfield threat.

With Salesi Finau and Davies both strong runners, particularly through the midfield, Ebbw coach Mike Ruddock has given Mitchell the chance to stake his claim for the number ten shirt with Mark Meenan dropping to the bench despite two good games against Munster and Caerphilly.

Coach Mike Ruddock said his side had been concentrating on toughening their defence this week and added: "I wouldn't mind having a bench like theirs, they have got plenty of big guns to call upon. Llanelli are a very hard side to beat, even Munster didn't get the win at Stradey till late in the game.

"Mark (Meenan) had two good games which has left Scott (Mitchell) champing at the bit, but we are expecting Leigh Davies and Salesi Finau to slot into the number ten role and Scott, on past history, is a good tackler, but Mark could well make an appearance at some stage."

Llanelli: G Evans, M Jones, M Watkins, L Davies, S Finau, G Bowen, D Peel, P John, M Thomas, M Madden, V Cooper, L Gross, D Jones, I Boobyer, D Hodges. Replacements: I Thomas, R McBryde, C Wyatt, G Williams, M Phillips, S Jones, M Cardey

Ebbw Vale: R Davies, R Shorney, M Ridley, P Matthews, N Wakely, S Mitchell, B Shelbourne, P Jones/A Black, J Evans, A Black/C Gay, O Booyse, N Edwards, K Tuipolutu, T Morris, W Thomas. Replacements: P Jones/C Gay, K Crawford, P Sidoli, P Williams, A Bevan, M Meenan, E Binham