EBBW Vale's ambition of going one better than 2015 looked doomed in November but tomorrow they return to Sardis Road with a shot at the Principality Premiership title.

The Steelmen head to champions Pontypridd (kick-off 3pm) as the form team in Wales but they will have to be at their very best to deny their hosts a fifth title on the spin.

Ponty have been vulnerable this season… but it's all relative. They still topped the table and they are still very much the team to beat.

However, Ebbw have done just that twice this season, a stunning 26-18 success at the 'House of Pain' in October and then an incredible 34-8 victory at Eugene Cross Park in March.

They are under no illusions that a third win will be the hardest to achieve of the lot.

But the large contingent of 'Ebbw addicts' make the trip to Sardis in buoyant mood after their side won 11 of 12 league fixtures to secure a play-off berth after looking dead and buried following a meek 34-14 defeat to Newport at Rodney Parade in November.

They stunned Swalec Cup winners Llandovery at Church Bank in last Sunday's semi-final and are aided by the experience of playing in last year's grand final.

Under the stewardship of Jason Strange they gave it a good crack and were far from disgraced when beaten 28-14.

Now they have Nigel Davies at the helm and he will be hoping that his charges can emulate Llanelli, who were the last side to deny Ponty the Premiership crown when they triumphed at Sardis in 2011.

The reception the west Walians, who had some help from Davies' Scarlets, got when lifting the trophy wasn't exactly the most hospitable but Ebbw can be assured applause from the partisan home support if they come out on top tomorrow.

There is a great respect for what the Steelmen have achieved since dropping out of the top flight in 2010.

They built with two Division One East titles and two Swalec Championship triumphs before surprising everyone to make the grand final on their Premiership return.

The story will be complete if they can take the silverware back to Eugene Cross Park and the key men will be those who helped them rise again.

There are a smattering of new faces but the like of inspirational hooker Mathew Williams, locks Damien Hudd and Ashley Sweet, prop Ross Jones and flanker Ronny Kynes are the heartbeat of the side.

The pack will need to be at their best to quell a fired-up Ponty and if they can do so then there is every chance of Ebbw making it a night to remember at Eugene Cross Park.

Davies makes just one change to the 23 that caused an upset against the Drovers with an unchanged XV and Wales Under-20s prospect Harri Keddie, fresh from his Newport Gwent Dragons debut, coming in as a replacement.

The split of six forwards and two backs on the bench emphasises that Ebbw know they must stand tall against their abrasive hosts with Keddie and fellow back row forward Luke Crocker, a former Ponty player, sure to add oodles of energy when they head onto the field.

Ponty field a strong side with experienced fly-half Ceri Sweeney pulling the strings and familiar faces flanker Rhys Shellard, number eight Dan Godfrey, captain and centre Dafydd Lockyer and full-back Geraint Walsh leading the charge.

Young lock Hemi Barnes will be looking to cap a fine year that saw him scoop the champions' player of the year award.

Pontypridd: G Walsh, A Webber, G Williams, D Lockyer (captain), C Clayton, C Sweeney, J Raikes, C Phillips, H Dowden, K Assiratti, H Barnes, S Davies, J Thomas, R Shellard, D Godfrey. Replacements: Lloyd Williams, Lewis K Williams, B Coombes, A James, W O'Connor, J Sieniawski, M Auger, C Domachowski.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, D Williams, N Preece, A Jones, J Rosser, D Langdon, C Thomas, R Jones, M Williams, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, R Clarke, R Kynes, C Regan. Replacements: J Franchi, I George, R Sevenoaks, J Jacas, L Crocker, T Edwards, I Smerdon, H Keddie.