EBBW VALE chairman Marcus Russell has lit the blue touch paper ahead of tonight's Welsh Premiership match against Llanelli at Stradey Park (7pm).

Russell can expect a frosty reception after slamming the Scarlets for their stance on the province against club debate which is dominating Welsh rugby.

Vale's chairman believes that by threatening to take the WRU to court Llanelli should not be allowed to benefit financially from any new structure due to their lack of compromise.

He said: "By taking this action, Llanelli have made it clear they have no desire to make any sacrifices or modifications in order to assist a new structure that Welsh rugby so desperately requires.

"They wish to stand alone, unchanged, while the rest of Welsh rugby grapples with the challenges and sacrifices necessary to put a new structure in place.

"By taking this isolationist stance, Llanelli have relinquished their right to financially benefit from any new structure involving merged entities next season."

Russell's comments are unlikely to impress the Llanelli management and his views will add even more spice to the game.

The Steelmen are looking for the double over the Scarlets after the 20-8 Premiership victory at Eugene Cross Park earlier in the season.

But Vale coach Mike Ruddock believes that the off-field problems won't affect the Scarlets on the pitch. "It shouldn't be a problem for the players," said Ruddock.

"In fact it could only serve to galvanise them and that will work in their favour.

"The players will be under pressure from the management to go out and show that they are a club worthy of stand alone status."

Ruddock will be without six key players.

Outside-half Scott Mitchell (hamstring), full-back Richard Davies (groin), lock-forward Neil Edwards (shoulder), Chay Billen (knee) and number eight Will Thomas (suspended) are all missing but Ruddock feels that if his side can maintain their concentration levels they are more than capable of doing the double over Llanelli.

"If we can concentrate for 80 minutes and get off to a better start than we did against Bridgend last weekend then we are more than capable of winning," said Ruddock.

However, a win over the Scarlets will be only Ebbw Vale's second away victory in the Welsh Premiership.

Ebbw Vale: N Wakley; L Roberts, R Shorney, P Matthews, A Bevan; M Meenan, B Shelbourne; A Black, L Phillips (c), M Jones, O Booyse, P Sidoli, R Williams, T Morris, K Tuipolotu. Replacements: P Jones, J Evans, P Williams, G Betts, E Binham, A Takarangi.

Llanelli: B Davies; W Proctor, M Cardey, T Selley, G Evans; N Boobyer, R Walters; P John, M Thomas, J Davies, V Cooper (captain), C Wyatt, D Hodges, S Easterby, S Quinnell. Replacements: D Maddocks, A Gravell, L Gross, I Boobyer, A Williams, S Finau, J Lewis.