EBBW Vale coach Mike Ruddock will have an advantage over his opposite number when the Steelmen play their European Shield opponents Montauban.

Vale need a win in tomorrow night's match at Eugene Cross Park (7.30pm) to have a realistic chance of progressing in the competition.

To prepare Ruddock and his assistant coach Kevin Hopkins spent yesterday morning dissecting the French side's match against Toulouse.

Ruddock said: "We know quite a lot about them, they are a strong scrummaging side and look very powerful up front.

"To be honest they seem to like to play a lot of 10-man rugby and they have some big men in their pack, many of their forwards are well over six foot."

The French championship newcomers Montauban are enjoying their status as leaders of Pool 1 and have three Russians, and an Argentinian but it is a game Vale really must win.

Ruddock added: "It's an important competition and with two French teams in our pool it's also very difficult.

"We did well against Rovigo, who were a formidable side, but realistically we need a win to stay in the competition."

His opposite number Pameza insists his team will have a difficult job on their hands, because they have not seen Ebbw play.

The club has enjoyed a fruitful start to their first season in Europe, with wins over Rovigo and Agen.

"It is an honour for Montauban to be playing in a European competition for the first time and we respect the chance we have, said Pemeza.

"It's going to be a very, very difficult at Ebbw Vale. Wales is renowned for being a passionate rugby country and they will be a complete surprise package to us. "But we are looking forward to it, we will enjoy the experience and we will also take the match seriously. We take things one day at a time and Friday night will be the next step on our journey."

Ruddock has switched captain Chay Billen to flanker to cover for the injured Kati Tuipolotu, while full-back Matthew James switches to fly-half in place of Scott Mitchell, as Vale rotate their squad in preparation for six Welsh/Scottish league games in December. Ebbw Vale team: P Matthews, G Cull, R Shorney, D Weatherley, A Wagstaff, M James, G Betts, I Thomas, J Evans, M Jones, O Booyse, N Edwards, C Billen (c), W Thomas, P Williams.

PICTURED: Ebbw Vale captain Chay Billen switches to flanker tomorrow.