EBBW Vale's stand-in captain Chay Billen is hoping the Steelmen can prove they have come of age when they tackle Pau in their European Shield second leg on Saturday.

Vale now have to capitalise on their 26-point advantage, having beaten the Frenchmen 29-3 at Rodney Parade on Monday night, when the two sides lock horns at the Stade du Hameau on Saturday night (7pm local time).

Billen still remembers the 108-16 hammering at Toulouse in September 1998 when a young Ebbw Vale side were blown off the park by the former European Cup winners.

Amazingly, Vale recovered to beat the French side 19-11 at home just two months later, but Billen is hoping that, after five wins in their last six games, Ebbw can build on their recent good form which has seen them grow in confidence.

With wins over Pontypridd, Llanelli, Madrid (twice) and Pau, Billen wants Vale to finish the job and secure their first win on French soil since beating Toulon in the 1999 European Shield.

Billen said: "I'm not sure how seriously Pau take this competition, but we have to go to France now and do the same sort of job.

"We usually do well in France and there's every chance we can capitalise on our 26-point advantage.

"A few of the boys have now played in France so it won't be like against Toulouse a few years ago when we went out there and had a torrid time.

"There have been a few incidents out there, but we want to do a professional job."

With Leyton Phillips ruled out on Monday night's game having pulled a calf muscle, Billen was given the nod ahead of prop Adam Black who captained the side for the early part of the season.

It remains to be seen whether coach Mike Ruddock keeps Billen on for Saturday's French mission.

"It was pleasing to get the captaincy back after Leyton pulled out," said Billen. "There was always a doubt with him and I wasn't sure if it would be myself or Adam Black."