Narberth host champions Pontypool in Championship

WRU Championship:

Narberth v Pontypool

In the same fixture last season, The Otters were moments away from a famous win when a Matthew Lewis try secured an 18-16 win for Pooler.

The champions are clearly the team to beat again, and have started the campaign with three wins and more than 150 points scored.

But Narberth too are unbeaten, with Nick Gale's boot again proving pivotal as he landed six penalties in their 18-8 win at Ystrad Rhondda last week.

There are changes though as Josh Davies comes into the centre and Elliot Dawe onto the wing, with Lewys Gibby given the nod at scrum half.

In the pack Daniel Jacobs and Roy Osborn replace Bradley Davies and Alex Jenkins respectively.

Until Pooler lose a game again at this level it's almost impossible to bet against them. But like last season, in front of a big crowd, Narberth will want to rise to the challenge here. 

Tip: Pontypool to be tested, but to win by 7-10. Narberth....prove me wrong lads.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Dafydd Pritchard, Josh Davies, Joe Hutchings, Elliot Dawe, Jonathan Rogers, Lewys Gibby, Daniel Jacobs, Rhodri Owens, Tom Slater, Jake Baker, Roy Osborn, Rich Rees (capt), Tom Powell, Steff Phillips. Replacements: Ianto Griffiths, Yannic Parker, Dan Smith, Tom Kaijaks, Dewi Williams, Bradley Davies.

Division One West:

Crymych v Gorseinon

Crymych had some key players missing last week in a tight loss against Felinfoel but after consecutive league defeats, need a win here.

Adam Phillips has been in good form with the boot and switched from full back to No 10 against The Foel, while hooker Rhys Richards and second row Mathew Freebury both stood out up front.

Like Crymych, Gorseinon have one win from three after beating Yr Hendy on Saturday and with the rain we've had this week, it could be another big forward battle at the Parc Lloyd Thomas ground.

One I'd back Crymych to edge.

Tip: Crymych by 6.

Llangennech v Whitland

Whitland's good start was halted by Newcastle Emlyn last week and they go to a Llangennech side now up to third after back to back wins.

For The Borderers, the Josh and Jonathan Thomas combination continues in midfield with Gino Setaro still injured, while Dan Evans comes onto the wing. The back row is unchanged after impressing last week.

They will be missing influential skipper and Hooker Marc Jones though, with Gethin Lewis replacing him.

Gareth Bennett's side were guilty of missing scoring chances against Emlyn and it cost them. They can ill afford to do the same here.

Tip: Llangennech by 5.

Whitland: James Stephenson, Dan Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Josh Thomas, Jac Howells, Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas (2), Tom Finuncane, Gethin Lewis, Tomos Evans, Raff Williams, James Thomas, Jack Mason, Ryan Morgan, Scott Buirds. Replacements: I Lewis, Mike Ryan, Courtney Bowman, Ben Kirk, Adam Davies.

Pembroke v Llanelli Wanderers

It's been a promising and yet frustrating start for Pembroke in Division One.

In Penclawdd last week again they competed, again they notched two bonus points, but again they lost.

On Saturday they play a Llanelli Wanderers side yet to win and The Scarlets must prevail here ahead of back to back away games, or alarm bells will start gently ringing.

Their ability to rack up points isn't in question though and all they need now is that elusive win. They can get it here.

Tip: Pembroke by 8.

Division Two West:

Fishguard v Mumbles

It was some comeback by Fishguard last week, and some nerve from full back Mark Jones to convert his own last gasp try to level matters in Tycroes.

It was part of a 21 point haul and he continues to grow in stature for the Seagulls, while there was also a scoring return for Kyle Keane. But this week they must go up another notch against a Mumbles side flying with 15 points from 15 so far.

Nathan Jenkins has tinkered with the side and Jones himself goes back to 10 and James Griffiths to 12, while skipper Chris Shousha packs down at No 8 as Luke Freebury replaces Mark George in the back row.

Tip: Tries, points aplenty, less than score in it and..........Fishguard to nick it.

Fishguard: Robbie Jones, Osian Lewis, Thomas George, James Griffiths, Rhys Evans, Mark Jones, Andrew Williams, Ryan McVeigh, Gavin Walsh, Andrew Morrillo, Richie Hunter, Ben John, Scott Riches, Luke Freebury, Chris Shousha (capt). Replacements: Liam Wilkes, Jason Davies, Will Delaney, Gwil Evans, Mark George.

Milford Haven v Tycroes

It was a vital win for Milford last week, and early signs suggest their home form will be key to them doing well in Division Two.

And a win over Tycroes here will leave them sitting pretty, although Nathan Williams will be conveying the need to play for 80 minutes after The Mariners almost let Kidwelly back in from nowhere last week.

Mind you, the Tycroes coaches will be saying similar after being 33-12 up against Fishguard but only drawing.

The home side have had to ring changes with skipper Dan Birch (on honeymoon) among those missing, and there is a return to rugby for Gareth Fawcett. George Evans starts at No 10 and the experienced Chris Hall is back at second row, with Sam Dolling at No 8.

The bench is very much forward orientated, but looks strong.

Tip: Tries for both sides, but Milford by 6-9.

Milford Haven: Lee Riley, Gareth Fawcett, Steve Martin, Dan Jenkins, James Trueman, George Evans, Danny McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Chris Hall, Nathan Banner, Zac Davies, Ryan Mansell, Sam Dolling. Replacements: Nathan Williams, Brandon Cooper, David Round, Zac France-Miller, Jay Goodall.

Pontyberem v Tenby United

They won last week, and now surely the Seasiders will eye another chance here.

The kicking of Harry Rossiter helped the to that dramatic win over Carmarthen Athletic and they go to a Pontyberem side with just one losing bonus point from three games.

Joe Owen moves fron wing back to full back with Lloyd Thomas going to 12. Max Brindley stays on the wing after being so destructive there against Athletic.

There is no Luke Hansford so Jack Broadhurst comes into the back row. With their tails up, Tenby can win this.

Tip: Tenby by 7.

Tenby United: Joe Owen, Max Brindley, Ben Pugh, Lloyd Thomas, Jack Tucker, Harry Rossiter, Matthew Morgan, Ethan Morgan, Tom Barrass, Rob Luly, Huw Evans, Luke Dedman (capt), Andrew Cooke, Jack Brown, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Harry Bolton, Wyndham Williams, Will Swales, Ash Murdoch, Jack Gooding.

Division Three West A:

Cardigan v Aberaeron

Aberaeron had to grind out that win over St Clears last week but they did just that, and this represents one of their shorter away trips.

Cardigan didn't play due to a funeral but although they beat St Davids 43-8 last time out, the in-form Aaron Tomkinson scoring two tries, this will be a much sterner test.

Aber have a strong back and quick backs lurking out wide, and will be favourites here.

Tip: Aberaeron by 15-20 points, with a bonus point to boot.

Haverfordwest v Laugharne

This is big.

Despite not playing last week Laugharne have started on fire with wins over Aberaeron and St Clears and if they were to beat a third fellow title contender in Haverfordwest, it would really send out a message.

The Blues also have 10 points from two games although it wasn't until the second half they pulled clear at St Davids last Saturday.

Their back line is much changes from that though, with Tony Steiner and Unaia Balekinasiga both returning and Mike Jones at No 10. Criag Barnett is back in the squad but on the bench.

Tip: Good old 'could go either way one' this. Given the sides they've beaten already, I'll say Laugharne to edge it by 5.

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Tony Steiner, Unaia Balekinasiga, Gareth Owens, Jack Evans, Mike Jones, Elgan Roberts, Terry Lovell, Jamie Zambass, Tom Carrington, Jack Clancy, Gareth Phillips, Gareth John, Matty Phillips (capt), Jon Mason. Replacements: Craig Barnett, Ashley George, Jonathan Clout, Dane Pindair, Matthew Clayton.

Lampeter Town v Neyland

Things have picked up for Neyland and the return of Alex Codd on permit paid dividends last week, with two tries in that win over Tregaron.

But this won't be an easy trip and they have to travel strong, especially with Lampeter unbeaten since the opening day.

The hosts beat Llanybydder 16-15 on Saturday and I can see them backing that up here.

Tip: Lampeter by 10-15.

Llanybydder v St Clears

Both lost tight games away from home last week, but St Clears will take positives from the fact they pushed Aberaeron close.

Shane Morgan continued his try scoring form by crossing in that 12-7 defeat and with Bydder yet to win in the league, St Clears will target a return to winning ways here.

Tip: St Clears by 10.

Pembroke Dock Quins v St Davids

The Quins are flying with 15 points from 15, and on Saturday Jordan Asparassa again underlined how dangerous he can be with four tries against Llangwm on Saturday.

If Neil Machin's team get time and space they can run a side ragged, and St Davids have to deny them quick ball.

The Saints would have taken positives from the 38-15 loss to Haverfordwest though, but again it was a case of failing to maintain their levels in the final stages.

As said before, they must find an 80 minute display or risk being overrun here.

Tip: Quins by 25 points plus and a bonus point with it.

Tregaron v Llangwm

After the opening day I would have backed Llangwm here, but since then their standards have slipped with three heavy defeats.

Tregaron are yet to win but showed enough against Neyland to suggest they'll compete well this year, with prop Dorian Pugh and No 10 Huw Bonner again two of their stand out players.

The trip to Tregaron is never an easy one and The Wasps will really have to up it from recent weeks to get something here.

Tip: Tregaron by 12.