Ebbw Vale v Caerphilly, Konica Minolta Cup

EBBW Vale are well aware that they are in for a stern test of their cup ambitions when they welcome Caerphilly to Eugene Cross Park tomorrow afternoon.

The Steelmen were denied the chance to get a Premiership humbling at the hands of Bridgend out of their system when last weekend's game with Aberavon was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

While the postponement did come at a time when Vale are down to the bare bones, head coach Pat Horgan was denied the chance to see his players react to their worst display of the season.

The Steelmen are still short of players - back row forwards John Bowd and Rhys Williams are injured and flanker Nio Aiono is suspended, while Bryan Shelbourne is unavailable and fellow scrum-half Rob Lewis is on sevens duty (along with his twin James and Simon Hunt) - but Horgan is confident they still have the ability to safely make it through to round five.

"We are still low on numbers but there can be no excuses and we have more than enough quality in the side to still be performing," he said.

"The boys are really looking forward to getting out on the field and they were definitely disappointed that last weekend's game was called off.

"We really want to put Bridgend behind us and show that we are a far better side than the one that went down so badly there."

Those looking for a cup upset will perhaps be looking at tomorrow's encounter at Eugene Cross Park given Caerphilly's excellent form in Division One East.

The Virginia Park outfit have lost just twice this season - to last season's top two, Beddau and Bargoed - and sit third in the table within reach of leaders Pontypool.

They will arrive with some dangerous players in the side, with centre Gareth Miles needing no introduction to Vale fans given the impact he made last season before moving to the Cheesemen.

"They are doing very well and although we don't know a huge amount about them it is clear that they have some quality players in their side," said Horgan.

"We know that it will be tough and now it's all about turning up and doing a professional job. That's what we did last round against Llantrisant and we need to do exactly the same tomorrow because if we don't then it will be a real struggle."

Vale field Dragons academy duo Tom Edwards and Aaron Coundley, the former a scrum half who played for the Steelmen last season and the latter a prop w ho narrowly missed out on Wales selection for the under-20 Six Nations. Rhys Bowen returns to the club on permit after leaving to become Newbridge skipper in the summer.

Ebbw Vale: A McLaughlan, J Williams, K Owen, G Roberts, A Bevan, A Bramwell, T Edwards, A Lott, R Wilkes, A Coundley, M Griffin, N Edwards, G Donaldson, J McPhail, W Thomas (captain). Replacements: M Jones, M Williams, I George, R Bowen, R Downes (remaining two TBA).