HOOKER Gerwyn Price moves to the back row for Cross Keys' trip to Bedwas in the Premiership this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The mobile 28-year-old, who earned a Professional Darts Corporation tour card last week, is no stranger to playing flanker.

He wore 7 on his back on three occasions last season – including the tough encounter against Newcastle in the British and Irish Cup.

Keys are forced into the change because of back row injury problems and the necessity to play Tom Lampard at lock because of Ollie Hodge's back problem.

Today's clash is the first of three meetings between the sides in four weeks and promises to be a lot tighter than September's British and Irish Cup qualifier at Bridge Field when Keys eased to a 45-13 victory.

Bedwas are in good form with five wins from their last six games while the playoff-chasing visitors have been victorious in their last six Premiership fixtures.

Keys did, however, come a cropper against Moseley in the British and Irish Cup last weekend and will be looking for a much more solid performance at the set piece.

Bedwas: H Thomson, R Budina, L Hudd, S Williams, G Lewis, R Powell, T Edwards, I George, R Wilkes, M Pettit, P Rees, K Maiden, J Thomas, S Grainger (captain), D Crimmins. Replacements: M Phelps, D Preece, H Wilkes, L Connolly, J Sawyer, L Crane, S Thomas, A Humberstone.

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, E Jones, A James, P Williams, N Williams, D Jones, R Dyer, R Cornock, D Hughes, A Lott, D Hodge, T Lampard, R Tucker, G Price, A Powell (captain). Replacements: TBA

- Ebbw Vale can take another step towards the Championship title when they welcome Cardiff Met to Eugene Cross Park this afternoon.

The Steelmen are romping to promotion but have been frustrated by postponements in recent weeks because Bargoed had a rearranged Swalec Cup game and Narberth's pitch was waterlogged.

Nonetheless, head coach Jason Strange is offering no excuses ahead of their meeting with opponents who sit in sixth but who are eyeing up second place.

"The squad have trained really hard and prepared well for what we expect to be another tough challenge against the students," said the former fly-half.

"Cardiff Met are fit, well organised and very well coached and always make things very difficult for us."

Blackwood are looking to stun RGC 1404 on their own patch as they bid to beat the drop while Newbridge head to Bridgend Athletic looking to steer clear of a relegation dogfight.

Pontypool are in the mix for runners-up spot behind Ebbw and will aim to stretch their five-game unbeaten streak at bottom club Bonymaen.