PAUL Williams becomes the seventh player to perform at outside half for Ebbw Vale this season when he lines up against Edinburgh in Scotland tonight.

Since No 1 Scott Mitchell damaged his groin (he has recently had a successful operation), Vale have chiefly used Gareth Cull and Matt James in the position.

But Sean Connor (on loan from Neath), Ross Watts and Mark Heenan have also covered and now the task falls to centre Williams.

"Matt James has a slight knee problem and though he is on the bench, we want to keep him fit for our final run-in, " said Vale coach Mike Ruddock.

"Paul is a very good footballer and played a lot at outside half at youth level and in college. I'm sure he will do a fine job.

"We have three games in a week and it is a matter of utilising your squad in the best way."

Altogether Vale make eleven changes from the side which crashed 50-8 at Neath on Saturday, keeping some players in reserve for Saturday's home game against Glasgow which they have targeted to win.

Chay Billen has had a successful operation on his neck and with scrum half Gareth Betts back running after a knee operation, all of the club's long-term injury victims are on the mend.

"It will be very tough against Edinburgh (beaten just twice in their last ten games and with a 32-10 home win over Cardiff in their most recent game," admitted Ruddock.

Ebbw Vale team: G Cull, R Shorney, M Ridley, D Weatherley, D Rogers, P Matthews, A Bevan, I Thomas (captain), J Evans, D Penisini, O Booyse, G Evans, R Williams, G Green, T Morris. Replacements: A Clatworthy, C Bevan, D Hudd, K Tuipulotu, K Ellis, M James, A Takarangi.