Some big Pembrokeshire rugby derbies in store tomorrow

WRU Cup Round 1:

Ebbw Vale v Narberth

Winning in Tata Steel last week would have been considerably more important to Sean Gale and his coaches than winning here.

They'll still want a competitive performance but it will be very difficult against Premiership side Ebbw Vale, despite their 29-23 home loss to Newport last weekend.

The Otters do have one happy memory to draw on though - they beat The Steelemen in their last meeting back in 2014 - denying Ebbw a 100% winning record to go with Championship promotion.

The visitors have made numerous changes this week, with the two wingers and half backs changed, and Dewi Williams starts at flanker after being abroad last week. There is also a place on the bench for Alex Codd after signing from Neyland.

Tip: Ebbw Vale by 15-20 points.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Josh Davies, Joe Hutchings, Jake Jenkins, Yannic Parker, Ianto Griffiths, Lewys Gibby, Bradley Davies, RDan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Baker, Alex Jenkins (capt), Dewi Williams, Harry Phillips, Roy Osborn. Replacements: Kyle Hamer, Daniel Jacobs, Rhodri Owens, Tom Powell, Rich Rees, Jonathan Rogers, Alex Codd, Rhys Lane.

Division One West:

Pembroke v Whitland

One of the clashes of the day in Pembrokeshire rugby.

I don't have the stats for when these two last met in a league clash, but my guess would be it was the other side of this century.

Pembroke showed last week they have no intention of stalling after back to back promotions with that 25-25 draw in Aber. One of their standout performers that day, Toby Smith, has experience of this level as do others from their time at Tenby. And as a squad, despite a few injury blows including No 8 Sam Smith, they'll be fired up to make a statement here.

The boot of Nico Setaro proved crucial for Whitland in their win over Gowerton last Saturday and they too will be hell bent. Having been higher than Pembroke in the pecking order for so long, defeat would hurt.

The Borderers have named their side and the backline is unchanged from the previous week, but Tom Finucane comes into the front row.

Tip: A hell of a lot of noise and physicality, and Whitland by 6-9 (that's 6 to 9 points, DO NOT read that as 69 points).

Whitland: James Stephenson, Jac Howells, Gino Setaro, Josh Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas (2), Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones (capt), Tom Finucane, Courtney Bowman, Ben Kirk, Jamie Thomas, Ryan Morgan, Scott Buirds. Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Michael Ryan, James Lewis, Raff Williams, Danny Evans.

Yr Hendy v Crymych

It was a great start for Crymych last week and the win over Llangennech was again a tribute to their youth system, with young No 10 Jac Davies among the try scorers.

Yr Hendy meanwhile, went down 34-29 in a thriller at Felinfoel, and by that scoreline the Preseli Men will fancy their chances of scoring points.

It is hard to know too much just one game in, but Randal Williams' side are always dangerous when the sun is out. They can steal this one.

Tip: Crymych by 5-7 points.

Division Two West:

Fishguard v Milford Haven

Another one that will not be for the faint hearted.

Both had great wins last week, Fishguard at Kidwelly and Milford at home to Pontarddulais.

The last time these two were in the same tier was the 2014/15 season in Division Three West A - and although it was The Mariners who won the second meeting, it was The Seagulls who later went up as champions. They haven't returned since.

Tomorrow Mark Jones and the newly returned James Griffiths continue their 10-12 partnership and Geraint Jones permits from Whitland in the centre.

Milford have named their side as well and from last week, bring Jamie Lewis, Mike Cockburn, David Round, and Ryan Mansell into the starting XV. New signing George Evans is named as a replacement.

Tip: Be close. Fishguard maybe. By 5. Maybe.

Fishguard: Robbie Jones, Rhys Evans, Geraint Jones, James Griffiths,  Ed Bendall, Mark Jones, Dan Evans, Ryan McVeigh, Gavin Walsh, Andrew Morrilo, Luke Freebury, Ben John, Scott Riches, Chris Shousha (capt), Simon James. Replacements: Will Delaney, Liam Wilkes, Mark George, Gwil Evans, Thomas George.

Milford Haven: Jamie Lewis, Lee Riley, Dan Jenkins, Dan Birch (capt), Steve Martin, James Trueman, Danny McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Nathan Banner, David Round, Dai Sweeny, Ryan Mansell, Sam Dolling. Replacements: Nathan Williams, Brandon Cooper, Zac Davies, Gareth Cheshire, George Evans.

Tenby United v Kidwelly

These two came down last season, and after losing in Nantgaredig last week, you feel the Seasiders must win here.

There was another try for promising young centre Ben Pugh and with the influential Andrew Cooke back, the home side will be confident of beating the side who they registered their only win against last time out.

But Kidwelly were beaten 15-26 by Fishguard last Saturday and they too will be eyeing kick starting their season.

Two teams who need to shift the losing habits.

Tenby have brought Joe Owen in at full back and Jack Tucker is back on the wing, and among other changes Luke Hansford returns to the starting XV at flanker.

Tip: Perhaps optimistically, Tenby by 7.

Tenby United: Joe Owen, Jack Gooding, Ben Pugh, Lloyd Thomas, Jack Tucker, Harry Rossiter, Dan Thomas, Ethan Morgan, Dan Allan, Rob Luly, Huw Evans, Tom Barrass, Luke Dedman (capt), Luke Hansford, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Jack Brown, Jim Brace, Max Brindley, Harry Bolton, Connor Ennis.

Division Three West A:

Cardigan v St Davids

Cardigan need to bounce back after that defeat in Llangwm last week, where the display of veteran forward Andrew Fletcher was a major plus point.

That result will at least mean there will be no complacency against St Davids, who battled well early on St Clears before finishing up walking wounded and losing 74-7.

New coach Gethin Bateman will know they have to dig in for 80 minutes to have a chance here, and while this ground has not been a happy venue for the Saints in recent years, they face a much younger Cardigan outfit this time around.

Tip: Heart says St Davids by 60. Head says Cardigan by 15-20.

Haverfordwest v Llangwm

Excuse the pun, but The Wasps will go into this buzzing.

That win over Cardigan, in which Josh Hicks was predictably outstanding, lifted everyone at Pill Parks and they will hope to catch Haverfordwest cold. The Blues did not play last week with their game postponed against Neyland.

I suspect the forecast weather (which is nice) will suit the home side though, Llangwm would have wanted a mudbath. It will be a difficult first 40 minutes for the Blues, but I expect them to come through thereafter.

For the home side, new Fijian signign Unaia Balekinasiga starts in centre, and there is a welcome return to the squad for former skipper Jon Mason.

Tip: Haverfordwest by 15.

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Jake Evans, Unaia Balekinasiga, Gareth Owens, Dane Pindare, Craig Barnett, Elgan Roberts, Terry Lovell, Jamie Zambass, Tom Carrington, Jac Clancy, Karl Busch, Gareth John, Matty Phillips, Ashley George. Replacements: Jon Mason, Mike Jones, Steve Thomas, Jack Evans, Josh Atherton.

Pembroke Dock Quins v Neyland

Another team on cloud nine last week were Pembroke Dock, who seem rejuvenated and won well in Lampeter.

The win was tempered by injury to captain Kevin Bratcher but with new sponsors present on Saturday, and a host of players back, they'll be fired up for another win.

It's hard to tell what Neyland will bring as they are yet to play in this campaign. They have struggled for numbers in pre-season and only after this will we get an indication of where they're at. 

Tip: Quins by 10.

St Clears v Laugharne

Another very tasty derby.

St Clears eventually won easily in St Davids last week as centre Shane Morgan crossed four times, while Laugharne notched a great 30-23 home win over Aberaeron as flanker Mikey Williams impressed yet again with two tries.

There will be no love lost here and it's two teams I expect to be fighting to go back up come April.

Tip: Laugharne finished last season, and have started this one, on a roll. Be close but Laugharne by 7.