THE sternest test of his Ebbw Vale reign so far awaits Greg Woods on Sunday as defending Principality Premiership champions Merthyr head east to Eugene Cross Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

The visiting Ironmen will be targeting a third win of the season over Ebbw this weekend, with the first of those coming on Steelmen soil at the end of last September.

But it’s the more recent of the games between the teams this term that will bring back plenty of bad memories for Ebbw’s players and fans.

A 57-7 hiding at the Wern on December 1 was a watershed moment in Ebbw’s campaign – it proved to be the last match in charge for former head coach Lee Davies.

New chief Woods pushed Merthyr all the way with Cross Keys on the opening day of the season and then saw his former side go down to the big spenders again in October, 34-19 on that occasion.

Merthyr look a good bet to clinch back-to-back championships, with a six-point lead at the top of the table after four successive victories since the league’s east and west divisions merged.

In fact, they remain on course for a league and cup double, although Pontypool will have a lot to say about that when they travel to the Wern next Saturday.

After a hugely disappointing start to the campaign, the Steelmen are now on a run of form which has seen them win six of their last seven in all competitions.

However, while Sunday’s encounter will be a good measure of how far Ebbw have come since that December hammering, it is also going to be a test of Merthyr’s title credentials.

Meanwhile, Ebbw have announced that their away game with Llandovery on March 17 will now kick-off at 1pm. The Steelmen will wear their purple away kit for the match.