EBBW Vale are confident that they have the quality to thrive in the Principality Premiership as they prepare to make their long-awaited return to the top flight.

The Steelmen, who have won four second-tier titles on the spin, welcome Llandovery to Eugene Cross Park tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

It promises to be a humdinger with Ebbw, edged out by Cross Keys 16-13 in their British and Irish Cup qualifier, looking to show they mean business against a Drovers side that have finished in the top four in the last three seasons and who will be looking to push Pontypridd hard for the title.

The Steelmen’s rugged pack should ensure that they avoid a brush with relegation and forwards coach Duane Goodfield is confident in the ability and work ethic of his charges.

“Ebbw Vale have enjoyed a lot of success in recent seasons and it will just be a case of raising to the intensity of the Premiership and playing against competitive teams every week,” said the former Dragons and Cardiff Blues hooker, who joined as head coach Jason Strange’s assistant midway through last season.

“We will be test and there is a lot of hard work to be done but we are confident and hopefully we can start with a bang on Saturday.”

The West Wailians emerged with a 16-13 victory when the sides met at Eugene Cross Park in the Swalec Cup quarter-finals last March.

Ensuring that few teams leave Ebbw Vale with the points is vital to their hopes of a strong return to the Premiership.

“We need to make Eugene Cross Park a bit of a fortress and the home crowd is something that is really important to the club,” said Goodfield.

“They have the same mentality as Pontypridd and we get a great following that backs the boys home and away. Our fans will be important for us and after four long years for them we hope to give them plenty to cheer about.”

Promising Dragons Academy and Wales Under-18s back row forward Harri Keddie, who impressed in the Premiership Rugby 7s, has been allocated to the Steelmen for the coming campaign.