Pembrokeshire rugby fixtures for Saturday, October 6th (2.30pm):

WRU Championship:

Pontypool v Narberth

Narberth go into this on the back of five straight league wins - and if by 4.30pm tomorrow that becomes six, they will be recognised as serious title contenders.

Pontypool of course have dominated the last two Championship seasons, winning 43 of 44 games, and it's no surprise they too remain unbeaten thus far despite being pushed hard by Tata Steel (8-3) back on September 8th.

The Otters were really tested by Bedlinog for 40 minutes last week but again, they came through it and then showcased their ability to cut loose in the second half.

Rich Rees was outstanding at No 8 and Jack Price again excelled in midfield - but the likes of Jonny Morgan and Nick Gale are also finishing well out wide and Sean Gale's men have firepower aplenty.

The front row have also impressed this season, but the visitors know they can't afford to be off the boil anywhere at Pontypool Park, and have made just two changes to the starting XV from last week.

Rees moves to flanker with Steffan Phillips coming in at No 8, and Tom Powell moves up to second row in place of Ryan Banner. 

Narberth: Nick Gale, Jonny Morgan, Kieran Jones, Jack Price, Gethin Gibby, Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Dan Jacobs, Dan Smith, Tom Kajaks, Tom Powell, Alex Jenkins (capt), Rich Rees, Andrew Cooke, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Kyle Hamer/Tom Slater, Bradley Davies, Jake Simm, Yannic Parker, Lewys Gibby.

Division 1 West:

Gowerton v Whitland

Whitland won't be too concerned with their Plate loss in Gorseinon last week, but they will now want to get back on track in the league after their loss to Yr Hendy a fortnight ago.

That won't be easy away to second placed Gowerton, and coaches Gareth Bennett and Dan Mason have understandably opted to make changes to the starting XV after resting some key men on the weekend.

Hooker and captain Marc Jones is among a host of players to return to the starting XV, while Nico Setaro return to No 10 after playing full back last week.

And The Borderers have gone for experience in the second row, with the tried and tested partnership of Raff Williams and Dai Ebsworth.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Liam Price, Gino Setaro, Rhys Schiavone, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones, Tomos Evans, Raff Williams, Dai Ebsworth, James Thomas, Ryan Morgan, Jack Mason. Replacements: Zac France Miller, Gethin Lewis, Ben Kirk, Tom Parry, James Lewis.

Llanelli Wanderers v Tenby United

They might have only beaten a Division Two side, but it would have done Tenby the power of good to have built some momentum in Carmarthen Athletic last Saturday.

The midfield partnership of Pat Roberts and Jack Parkinson clicked and winger Ashley Murdoch reveled in the extra space to cross for two tries, while flanker Jason Ronowitz was again key.

But now they need league points against a Llanelli Wanderers team that have won two, and lost two, league games thus far.

Intriguingly, every one of those games has been tight, and if a similar pattern follows The Seasiders simply have to turn a positive display into a winning one.

You'd hope their Plate win will give them the confidence and belief to do so.

Yr Hendy v Crymych

Crymych too had a morale boosting Plate win, but now must take that form into the league having not won since the opening day.

Yr Hendy have picked up with those back to back wins over Tenby and Whitland, and I fancy the Preseli Men will need to come through a dogfight here.

Flanker Sion Colella has been in outstanding form and grabbed two tries in that victory over Gowerton, and through the likes of Jake Jenkins, Ifan Phillips, and Tomos Phillips, the visitors do have options for their 10-12-13 combinations.

The bottom half of the table already looks tight, and added motivation for Crymych is he potential to move up a few places with a win.

Division 2 West:

Fishguard v Pontarddulais

It has been a tough start for Fishguard, cemented by them failing to raise a team to play in the Plate last weekend.

But while they are yet to win, they are not far away having been within bonus point range in their three league losses thus far.

They go to a Pontarddulais side who have had two wins from four, and must be more clinical when they get on the front foot.

Skipper and flanker Chris Shousha has been in outstanding form while their backline has also shown flashes of real threat - but availability has been an issue and coaches Simon James and Nathan Jenkins will be desperate to have a full compliment to choose from.

Penclawdd v Pembroke

Pembroke were battered by Aberystwyth on Saturday but the reality is, when you are newly promoted to Division 2, the Plate is not a priority.

Hence why Geraint Lewis named a much changed line up, but there will be no experimenting tomorrow for a trip to leaders Penclawdd.

The Cocklemen have three bonus point wins from three league games and this represents Pembroke's toughest test to date.

They paid the price for missed chances against both Burry Port and Carmarthen Athletic, and simply must turn pressure into points to have a chance tomorrow.

Pontyberem v St Clears

The last two games would have done St Clears the World of good, and tomorrow they go to Pontyberem side who have not won in the league since beating Burry Port on the opening day.

The Carmarthenshire Saints passed 50 points in the Plate against Loughor with centre Will Davies among those to stand out with two tries, while his namesake at centre James added 17 points with the boot.

They now need to reproduce their recent home form away, and a win here would set them up nicely for potentially crunch games later this month with Loughor again and Fishguard.

National Bowl Round 2:

Cardigan v Nantgaredig

It has been a mixed start for Cardigan, and they face a tough task here against a Nantgaredig team with four wins from four in Division Three West B.

The try scoring form of skipper John Lumb and player coach Colin Davies has been pivotal to The Teifisdiers competing this season, but the former appears to be missing tomorrow in a big blow to the home side.

But Cardigan reached a Bowl semi final two years ago so have 'know how' in this competition, and will be confident on home soil.

If the forecast rings true, expect a fiercely fought cup tie.

Cardigan: Jones, Dan Purnell, Emyr Harries (capt), Alun Williams, Rhydian Jenkins, Iwan John, Matthew Roebuck, Ben Hughes, Daniel Evans, Andrew Fletcher, Sion Phillips, Dafydd Wyn Rotie, Tom Taylor, Gruffydd Lewis, Colin Davies. Replacements:Andrew Jones, William Brice, Dean Harries, Tom Dunn, Kieran Hurley.

Haverfordwest v Llangadog

One of Nantgaredig's wins was a 35-18 success at Llangadog, who go to Haverfordwest tomorrow.

No 10 Craig Barnett has been in free scoring form for The Blues, with 77 points in three games, while Jack Clancy also impressed in their win over St Davids last week.

The returns of Mike Jones and Jamie Barnett from injury have further bolstered their backline options and they will be favourites to progress here.

Neyland v Cefneithin

The All Blacks have enjoyed a great start, and with a week off to follow (they don't play on October 13th), I expect them to go all out to win again here.

It's early days but they are scoring tries and also showing grit, and have dug deep to see off both Llanybydder and Cardigan in recent weeks.

Scrum half George Evans is ever improving but while their squad is mostly young, in old heads Mark 'Russell' James and Mark Riley they have experience to boot.

Cefneithin have won just once in Division Three West B and beat Tregaron 23-21 in the last round, a side Neyland put 60 points on when they met in September.

On paper, you'd back a home win.

Trimsaran v Laugharne

Again it's West B v West A, as two unbeaten teams meet at Trimsaran.

Laugharne's game at Milford was postponed last week so they should a least be fresh for a tough trip - and proved in their last Bowl game at Penygroes they are prepared to commit to this competition.

That day a big performance up front set the platform for the win, and whilst No 10 Owain Thomas likes to get his backs going, the expected rain suggests skipper Carl Smith and his pack will need another big 80 minutes tomorrow.

Palmer Cup:

Llangwm v Pembroke 2nds

With The Wasps having no game, they've taken the chance to play the first leg of their Palmer Cup against Pembroke 2nds.

It's ideal for both teams. Llangwm were going well before taking a step back in the first 40 minutes against Aberaeron on Saturday, with late withdrawals and a messy first half seeing them 38-3 down.

They improved after that but will want a more cohesive performance this Saturday before a potentially winnable game in Tregaron on October 13th.

The Scarlets meanwhile, have a chance to give fringe players a full run out. When you are in Division Two the physicality, not to mention travel time, increases and keeping a big squad sharp is important.

And with a cup at stake, this should be a competitive clash.