WALES A number eight Will Thomas has been dropped by Ebbw Vale for tonight's game against Swansea (7.30pm), while the Steelmen have named hooker Leyton Phillips as captain for the season.

Coach Mike Ruddock has brought Wales Under-21 flanker Rhys Williams into the back row for the opening Welsh Premier League game at Eugene Cross Park and switched Tongan international Kati Tuipulotu to number eight.

Thomas pays the price for some below-par performances this season and, after his summer operation, some defensive errors have blighted his performances.

That was particularly evident during Neath's first-half try at the Gnoll when the All Blacks scored through a back-row move.

Although his sin-binning against Swansea on Saturday led to the Whites scoring 14 points in their 33-10 win, Thomas has only just missed out on a place on the bench.

But there's no doubt the talented Risca product will respond and only the fact that lock Neil Edwards is not expected to last the 80 minutes has kept him out of the 22, with replacement lock Peter Sidoli expected to come on and Chay Billen covering any back-row injuries.

Meanwhile, Ruddock has named the veteran Phillips as his captain for the season after prop Adam Black was temporary skipper.

Ruddock has also named a different side to the probable team he hinted at, with centre Nick Wakely moving to the wing to cover for junior international Liam Roberts who picked up a knock against Swansea.

Paul Matthews comes in at centre, while Ruddock has handed the number nine shirt to Bryan Shelbourne for his goal kicking.

However young scrum-half Andrew Bevan is expected to feature at some stage tonight.

Ebbw Vale: R Davies, N Wakley, M Ridley, P Matthews, A Takarangi, M Meenan, B Shelbourne, A Black, L Phillips (c), M Jones, N Edwards, O Booyse, R Williams, P Williams, K Tuipulotu. Replacements: K Gay, J Evans/K Crawford, P Sidoli, C Billen, A Bevan, Mitchell, R Shorney.