EBBW Vale chief Greg Woods has gone with Dai Langdon in the pivotal number 10 role for today’s trip to Llandovery, as the Steelmen attempt to pick themselves up after heartache against Merthyr.

It was thought that former Ebbw fly-half Rhys Jones could be back in the Gwent side’s ranks this weekend, but the man who faced his old club in Ironmen colours last Friday isn’t involved.

Church Bank is a notoriously difficult place to go, but Woods’ men can take heart from their performance in defeat to the reigning Premiership champions at Eugene Cross Park.

But while they finished with a losing bonus point after going down 19-17, Woods and co will know it was a game they should have won – their cause wasn’t helped by a couple of missed penalties.

However, not only will they take the positives from their display out west, Ebbw head to Llandovery having already beaten the Drovers this season.

A 37-21 victory back in October was Ebbw’s first win of the campaign – they have only managed one more since then and sit bottom of the table, two points behind Bridgend.

Langdon replaces Lewis Williams in one of three changes to the Ebbw starting XV, with the other two coming in the pack.

Rhys Francis is in for Will Griffiths at hooker and Ben Fry makes way for Dawid Rubasniak. Dom Franchi and Euan Rosser take their places on the bench.

Like Woods, Pontypool supremo Leighton Jones also makes three changes in personnel for his team’s match tomorrow.

Pooler host Ystalyfera fresh from their 60th consecutive Championship success, a 10-try drubbing of Beddau.

In the backs, Jones gives the 15 jersey to Jake Morgan with Geraint Walsh missing out, while up front, Scott Evans and Michael Herbert get the nod at tighthead and openside respectively.

Captain Scott Matthews drops to the bench so Adam Stratton switches to the blindside.

Cross Keys will want to build on last weekend’s morale-boosting win over Bedwas at Pandy Park when they go to Cardiff Met.

Head coach Morgan Stoddart goes with the same back line as a week ago, but there are changes in the pack.

Hooker Zac Hewlett makes way for Connah Vaughan, Harvey Reader returns to the second row, Callum Hague switches to the back row where Chris Johnsey is back on the openside and Joe Thomas reverts to number eight in place of Spencer Gibson.

Bedwas lost ground on top two Pontypool and Bargoed with that setback against Keys, so Stefan Sankala’s charges are going to look for a response at home to Beddau.

Bradley Williams replaces James Hallett at full-back, while Rory Harries takes over the scrum-half duties. There are no changes in the pack.

Loosehead Lewis Davies is recalled to the matchday squad and takes his place on the bench alongside scrum-half cover Matthew Bancroft and the returning Lewis Evans.

Second-placed Bargoed go to Maesteg Quins.

Ebbw Vale (at Llandovery): D Haymond; M Powell, P King, E Phillips, A Grabham; D Langdon, M Flanagan; R Jones, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, C Talbot, A Sweet (capt), D Hill, D Rubasniak, L Young. Reps: J Harries, M Blake, D Whiting, M Ayling, D Franchi, D Jones, R Evans, E Rosser.

Bedwas (home to Beddau): B Williams; G Collins, M Williams, L Bowden, J Rees; D McIntosh, R Harries; T Devine, M Dacey, K Williams, C Hudd, M Bovington, J Richards, J Armitage (capt), D Rogers. Reps: L Davies, R Hutcherson, O Jones, M Bancroft, L Evans.

Cross Keys (at Cardiff Met): C Povey; D Hitchings, A Tetley, C Nicholls, A Upton; L O’Brien, Z Bartlett; O Peddle, C Vaughan, J Rogers, S Andrews (capt), H Reader, C Hague, C Johnsey, J Thomas. Reps: S Hoskins, R Cornock, J Wall, W Cunliffe, J Adams/I Newbury.

Pontypool (home to Ystalyfera): J Morgan; J Thomas, P Lewis, A Nove, M Jones; K Meek, A Quick; A Coundley, L Ball, S Evans, C Gregory, R Clarke, A Stratton, M Herbert, B Sparks. Reps: D Hughes, C Price, S Matthews, O Leonard, M Lewis.