A TELLING blow could be landed in the battle to finish as Gwent top dogs in the Principality Premiership this season when rivals Newport and Ebbw Vale clash at Rodney Parade today (kick-off 2.30pm).

Craig Warlow’s hosts currently hold the advantage over their old enemies from Eugene Cross Park, but the Black and Ambers’ lead is a very slim one.

Newport sit in fifth place, a single point ahead of the Steelmen, whose game in hand could prove crucial in the fight for regional bragging rights.

If the home team do manage to get the upper hand at the end of the campaign it will be the first time they have finished as the best-placed Gwent club in nearly a decade.

It was back in 2009/10 that the Black and Ambers were third in the league table, with only Neath and Swansea finishing above them.

In contrast, that campaign isn’t so fondly remembered by Ebbw supporters who looked on in agony as their side suffered relegation.

However, the best in Gwent title is something the Steelmen have dominated in recent years.

They edged out Bedwas last term after the Bridge Field outfit had taken the crown in 2017, while Ebbw also came out on top in 2015 and again in 2016, when they won the Premiership grand final.

But this time around there is also the possibility of Newport or Ebbw securing a top-three finish.

With Pontypridd, who currently occupy third, having fixtures in hand, it may be unlikely, but that’s not to say Warlow and Ebbw counterpart Greg Woods won’t be expecting their charges to go for it.

Only three points separate Pontypridd and sixth-placed Ebbw, with Llandovery and Newport sandwiched in the middle.

Newport, whose last five matches are at home, have a particularly tough run-in, including games against leaders Merthyr, Pontypridd and Llandovery, but that will give them a great opportunity to take points off those sides around them.

Carmarthen Quins, Bargoed, Bedwas, Neath and Cardiff await Ebbw after this weekend’s encounter, with the middle three of those fixtures all on home turf.

Both sides go into today’s showdown on the back of a two-week break from action.

Ebbw’s last outing saw them come a cropper against Llandovery, though they didn’t finish the match empty-handed, despite losing 25-24.

Newport, meanwhile, also suffered defeat in their previous fixture, going down 27-5 to Swansea at St Helen’s.

Warlow’s troops will be looking to complete a league double over the Steelmen at Rodney Parade following their 27-20 victory in north Gwent back in mid-November.