A RAFT of experienced players return for Ebbw Vale when they try to once again upset champions Llandovery at Eugene Cross Park in Super Rygbi Cymru.

The Steelmen rang the changes for their defeat at Cardiff last time out, when they paid the price for the lack of a cutting edge in the 22 at the Arms Park.

Ebbw bring back a number of influential figures for the home encounter with the Drovers, who are chasing a third title on the spin.

The Franchi twins, captain Joe at hooker and Dom in midfield, start along with scrum-half Jonathan Evans, loosehead Luke Garrett and lock Curtis Gregory.

The replacements will be confirmed on Saturday but hard-carrying Wales Under-20s international Owen Conquer could return off the bench.

The back row forward missed the start of the campaign due to a concussion suffered with the Dragons in pre-season, when he faced Hartpury and Bristol Bears.

Ebbw beat Aberavon on opening weekend before their pointless trip to the capital while Llandovery are yet to hit the heights of last season.

They sneaked past Pontypool in the SRC opener – repelling pressure on their line when the clock was in the red – and then they were beaten 28-23 by RGC in Colwyn Bay last weekend.

Llandovery lost just two games last season, at Newport in the run-in and in Ebbw Vale almost a year ago when the hosts took the spoils 25-17 in testing conditions.

RELIEF: Pontypool held on to beat Bridgend at Brewery FieldRELIEF: Pontypool held on to beat Bridgend at Brewery Field (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency)

Pontypool head north to face RGC after getting up and running with a dramatic win at Bridgend last time out.

The lead changed hands six times at the Brewery Field and it was Pooler that finished with their noses in front thanks to a late try by Pat Lewis and determined defence at the death.

They face an RGC side who have started impressively, pushing Cardiff all the way and then doing what Pontypool narrowly failed to do on opening weekend by beating the Drovers.

Centre Joel Mahoney captains Pooler in the absence of flanker Mikey Herbert, which also leads to Morgan Allen dropping back to his usual position of number eight.

Former Dragons and Ospreys forward Ieuan Jones, whose permanent return to the club was confirmed this week, starts in the second row alongside Dan Hill.

Pooler also announce that outside half Matt Bancroft has stepped away from rugby due to injury problems while Darren Hughes has joined to bolster the options at hooker.

Ebbw Vale: Matt Jones, Harry Rees-Weldon, Ethan Phillips, Dom Franchi, Ewan Bowden; Evan Lloyd, Jon Evans; Luke Garrett, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Court, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Ewan McIntyre, Sion Parry, Lewis Young.

Replacements (from): Morgan Davies, Ieuan Morris, Adam Williams, Jack Pope, Owen Conquer, Ben Main, Rory Harries, Josh Malson, Cameron Davies.

Pontypool: Huw Anderson; Marcus Jones, Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney (captain), Matthew Powell; Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan; Sam Cochrane, Connor Chapman, Kelvyn Williams, Ieuan Jones, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Callum Davies, Morgan Allen.

Replacements: Kyan Best, Harry Drane, Owain James, Ryan Jones, Adam Stratton, Dylan Davies, Tye Davies, Ioan Duggan.