EBBW Vale are hoping to muscle Madrid out of their Parker Pen European Shield match tomorrow by naming a pack with plenty of beef.

With Chay Billen being chosen as blind-side wing-forward, Vale's pack weighs in at a hefty 137st 3lbs and averages out at just over 17 stones per man in the forwards.

Coach Mike Ruddock is hoping the extra brawn up front will allow Vale to establish a platfom to let their patched-up back line have a chance to take on the Spaniards defence.

With New Zealander Aaron Takarangi out with a cut leg that required hospital treatment and Nick Wakely away with the Welsh Sevens team for the next fortnight, Vale are pretty low on quality wings.

Having played well while first-choice number nine Bryan Shelbourne was injured, Bevan has been given the left wing slot.

Irish fly-half Mark Meenan has picked up a leg injury during the week, so Scott Mitchell comes into the number ten shirt with Richard Davies slotting in at full-back and Ed Binham partnering Martin Ridley in the centre.

But it is up front where Vale have declared their intent against the current Spanish cup holders, who were soundly beaten by Scottish side Borders in the last round of the competition.

While Ebbw Vale and Montauban were fighting out their bad-tempered tie, Borders were busy hammering Madrid 77-15 and 73-22 over two legs and while Ebbw Vale can't realistically expect to rack up 150 points against the Spaniards, they should run out comfortable winners.

But having watched Madrid in their match against Borders, Ruddock knows exactly what to expect.

He said: "They come up very quickly in defence and it will be up to us to try and break that down.

"But we have named a heavy pack to secure possession up front and bring in our ball carriers."

Ruddock has opted to play Wales Under-21 flanker Rhys Williams at number seven and he will jump at the back of the line-out with Paul Williams being rested as Ruddock looks at different options amongst his forwards.

Ruddock added that Rhys Williams will be used more as a ball carrier to assist Kati Tuipulotu who has been getting through plenty of work in recent matches, but it means no place in the starting XV for Wales A number eight Will Thomas.

Ruddock himself is looking forward to going out to Madrid next weekend for the return leg and added it is a chance for his backs to run the ball in the drier environment of wintry Spain.

He said: "I'm hoping the players see it as a positive experience and run the ball in the dry conditions."