FORMER skipper Leon Andrews stands in for current captain Damian Welch today as Cross Keys bid to avoid a third Principality Premiership loss on the bounce.

Keys make seven changes for their Arms Park clash with Cardiff (kick-off 2.30pm), with six of those in the pack and one behind.

Last Saturday saw Keys suffer a 34-29 reverse at the hands of Swansea, that coming on the back of a 20-13 loss away to Bargoed the previous weekend.

Second row Tom Lampard and Joe Thomas, who moves from the openside to number eight, are the only forwards to retain their places in the starting XV.

In the front row, Corey Hewlett replaces the injured Gary Carpenter at loosehead, tighthead Richard Cornock makes way for Taylor Hansen and hooker Connah Vaughan starts his first game for Keys in place of Rhydian Jenkins.

The injured Welch is replaced in the second row by Harvey Reader, while Joe Carlin and Chris Johnsey come in on the flanks, the latter making his first start for the club.

The solitary change in the backs sees the injured Mason Williams replaced by Joe Goodchild on the left wing.

The game is Goodchild’s first for Keys this season following his involvement in the Celtic Cup with the Dragons A team.

Former Pandy Park favourites Matthew Powell and Steffan Jones will line-up on the wing and at fly-half for the hosts.

The Blue and Blacks make five changes to the team that beat Bargoed 43-21 last Saturday.

Top of the table after five games, Ebbw Vale will be favourites to overcome Swansea at Eugene Cross Park this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

Head coach Greg Woods has the luxury of naming a virtually unchanged side following the 25-17 win at Neath last time out.

The only changes come in the front row where Joel Harries replaces Ross Jones at loosehead and Rhys Francis comes in for hooker Dom Franchi.

Bedwas, without a win this season, make the short trip to Bargoed today in the hope of ending their losing run.

Head coach Stefan Sankala names an unchanged back line and makes two changes in the pack.

Rhys Hutcherson comes in at tighthead in place of Ellis Evans and James Richards makes way for Phil Williams at lock.

Richards moves to the back row with Sion Parry dropping to the bench.

Tomorrow, Newport host Aberavon at Rodney Parade (kick-off 2.30pm).

David Richards gets a start on the wing for the Black and Ambers after impressing in the defeat to Llanelli.

On the bench, Matt Prosser and Mathew Reed make welcome returns after injury.

Bargoed (home to Bedwas): C Jones; D Dyer, D Humphries, B Nightingale, A Norton; J Prosser, J Leadbeater; R Morgan (capt), R Buckley, A Gardner-Key, L Blacker, A Gibson, L Johnson, G Rogers, A Powell. Subs: J Hallett, M Bancroft, J Howells, C Davies, K Bale, L Lippiett, G Edmunds, J Lavender.

Bedwas (at Bargoed): J Scrivens; P Lewis, A Williams, L Bowden, K Teear-Bourge; J Chilcott, L Crane; T Devine, D Rogers, R Hutcherson, G Allen, P Williams, J Richards, J Armitage, N Hudd (capt). Subs: B Toms, A Rees, C Budgen, C Hudd, S Parry, T Rowlands, M Callow, J Rees.

Cross Keys (at Cardiff): L Andrews (capt); W Cunliffe, S Majkic, D Fidler, J Goodchild; J Tovey, D Babos; C Hewlett, C Vaughan, T Hansen, H Reader, T Lampard, J Carlin, C Johnsey, J Thomas. Subs: R Jenkins, S Hoskins, R Cornock, T James, G Price, D Williams, O Leonard, I Newbury.

Ebbw Vale (home to Swansea): D Haymond; P King, C Meyer, D Franchi, T Fricker; Rh Jones, D Jones; J Harries, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, L Randall, A Sweet, R Clarke, R Kynes (capt), C Regan. Subs: J Franchi, Ro Jones, C Hicks, K Parker, L Young, S Ireland, J Lewis, S Thomas.

Newport (home to Aberavon): G O’Driscoll; J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, D Richards; M O’Brien, G Watkin; L Smout, W Evans, G Harris, A Mann, J Bartlett, J Skinner, K Tayler, R Jenkins (capt). Subs: M Prosser, D Preece, T Piper, C Williams, M Reed, R Bates, T Lucas, H Simons.