EBBW Vale flanker Paul Williams is hoping the Steelmen can resurrect the ghosts of 1999 when they face Llanelli at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday.

With neither side playing in the Celtic League quarter-finals, the clubs have arranged a friendly to give them some match practice and Williams is hoping Vale can emulate their performance on December 4 nearly three years ago when a long-range Jason Strange penalty sealed a 20-19 win over the Scarlets.

Since then, Ebbw Vale have endured a tough time and although a development side managed a 29-6 win over Brynmawr last Friday, Vale's last win before that was against Swansea at the end of October.

Williams believes Ebbw Vale's woes this season are down to a lack of confidence and he is hoping a solid performance - maybe even a win - could give his team the confidence they desperately need with Wales' top sides to be faced over the Christmas period.

Vale play Llanelli at home on Saturday December 21, before travelling to face Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day and then visit Sardis Road - known as the House of Pain - to play the in-form Pontypridd. But Williams loves a challenge.

He said: "If you defend against a team like Llanelli for 60 minutes, you are going to leak tries. As it is, we have to keep the ball through phases of possession and keep them moving about.

"Kevin Hopkins (the assistant coach) has been telling us to play with more confidence which we badly need to do.

"Once we have done the work and gone through about four phases of possession, we tend to panic and kick the ball away, which isn't good enough.

"We need to take people on and put the pressure on the opposition."

But Williams knows what it's like to beat the famous Scarlets.

He came off the bench to play his part in Ebbw Vale's win three years ago and has several memories of the game.

He said: "I can remember it was a bitterly cold day and Jason's kick to win the game was absolutely massive. He took it from within our half.

"They were lacking a few of their big guns that day. Scott Quinnell was on the bench.

"Saturday's game might be a friendly and they are sure to rest quite a few players, but a win is a win over Llanelli and it would do us a lot of good," he added.

Vale expect to name Neil Edwards in their squad this afternoon, even though he needs a shoulder operation. Coach Mike Ruddock also expects to include Wales Under-21 hooker Kieron Crawford who plays against New Zealand U21s tomorrow.