EBBW Vale face Cardiff with full back Matt James in the number ten shirt on Saturday as impressive young fly-half Mark Meenan has been recalled by Bedford.

After dazzling in the Steelmen's 20-10 Principality Cup win over Neath, Meenan looked the answer to coach Mike Ruddock problems at fly-half, with regular number 10 Scott Mitchell a long-term casualty.

But Bedford have called back their asset, a former Leicester player, to cover for their first choice Ali Hepher, who is believed to be in the process of signing for Premiership side Saracens.

With Mitchell now out for the rest of the season with a groin injury, full back James moves from 15, having played at outside half for Vale against Montauban in their narrow defeat in a European Shield pool match.

The talented James will partner Llyr Lane at half-back and coach Mike Ruddock is firmly backing his man.

He said: "Matt has played there for his former club Garndiffaith and in many ways he was our number one choice for the ten shirt, but he wanted to make the number 15 shirt his own."

With Cardiff fourth in the league and still chasing the Welsh/Scottish League title, Vale will have their work cut out to secure a much needed win and do the double over the home side.

Cardiff were humbled 22-20 at Eugene Cross Park last December after an excellent performance by Ruddock's side against a side boasting British Lions Martin Williams and Rob Howley, and Vale will have their work cut out against a side gunning for revenge. Cardiff coach Rudy Joubert said: "We certainly owe them one after the last encounter. We did not enjoy playing up there in the snow. We might need to order a bit of snow to make them feel at home.

"The players are looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd and hopefully we will see a cracking game of rugby.

"I am confident that we can achieve my goal of winning the league, but we need to show we can play just as well away from home as we do at the Arms Park.

"It is pretty tight at the top of the table, but I am confident we can win all our remaining matches, despite having tough games at Newport and Swansea."

For Vale, there is a question mark over captain Chay Billen, who has aggravated a neck injury, while young wing Daniel Rogers is being considered for promotion from Vale Under-21s.

Ruddock also has to choose whether to pick Kati Tuipulotu on the flank or under-21 player Rhys Williams.

For Cardiff, Iestyn Harris continues his union education as the rugby league convert deputises for long-term injury victim Neil Jenkins.

Craig Quinnell is out with a knee injury, Jamie Robinson has an ankle injury and David Young also sits it out with an ankle problem.

Ebbw Vale: G Cull, A Takarangi, R Shorney, P Matthews, A Wagstaff/D Rogers, M James, L Lane, I Thomas, L Phillips, M Jones, O Booyse/C Billen, N Edwards, K Tuipulotu/R Williams, W Thomas, P Williams.