REMEDYING the set-piece problems of last weekend will be Ebbw Vale’s top priority when they take on Principality Premiership strugglers Swansea at St Helen’s tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Steelmen’s normally reliable lineout failed to function on Saturday as Llandovery left Eugene Cross Park with a deserved 20-10 victory.

Ebbw head to Wales’ second city with the aim of bouncing back from the disappointment of the defeat to the Drovers, and they have a great chance of doing just that against the All Whites.

Since gaining promotion back to the Premiership at the end of last season, Swansea only have one win under their belts, a 12-8 derby triumph over Cardiff on October 1.

They went down to a record equalling 52-5 loss to Bedwas at the weekend and, like Ebbw, will be eager to respond with gusto this evening.

And there will be extra motivation for the hosts tonight following the death this week of former player Tim Jones, the father of Ospreys and Wales second row Alun Wyn Jones.

A minute’s silence is to be held before the game in memory of the club stalwart, who had been ill for some time.

On paper, seventh-placed Ebbw are strong favourites for the fixture but head coach Nigel Davies is in no doubt that his side must improve their lineout if they want to bounce back in style.

“Our lineout didn’t function at all which put a lot of pressure on the team,” said Davies when assessing the Llandovery setback.

“If you haven’t got a platform to play off it’s always going to be a difficult day.

“We made a lot of errors, particularly early on in the game, which gave them some momentum.

“They got a little bit lucky with their try but that’s what happens.”

He added: “We defended very well but our lineout wasn’t good enough.

“We got into some strong positions three or four times in their 22 and we lost the ball.

“Sometimes you can point the finger in all sorts of different areas but that wasn’t the case.

“It’s quite clear that the lineout needs to be better so we can function better as a pack of forwards.”

Davies has made six changes to his starting XV from Saturday with four of those coming up front.

Props Ross Jones and Rob Sevenoaks make way for Ian George and Gethin Robinson, Joe Bartlett replaces Max Williams at lock and Ethan Doyle comes into the back row in place of Josh Jacas.

Behind, Liam Jones is chosen at inside centre in preference to Jordan Howells and Ryan Gardner takes Jared Rosser’s left-wing berth.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; C Levesley, N Preece, L Jones, R Gardner; J Lewis, C Thomas; I George, J Franchi, G Robinson, D Hudd (capt), J Bartlett, R Clarke, R Kynes, E Doyle. Reps: N Thomas, R Jones, R Sevenoaks, D Rubasniak, J Jacas, B Ellis, J Howells, C Duncan.