THERE will be a battle of the Dragons' bright young 9s in Super Rygbi Cymru when best friends Morgan Lloyd and Che Hope take to the field for Pontypool and Newport.

The promising scrum-halves, who grew up as neighbours in Hollybush, have been released for game time in the first Gwent derby of SRC in Torfaen on Saturday afternoon.

Pooler’s Lloyd will aim to build on his two-try performance in last week’s loss at Carmarthen Quins while Hope, who had a superb season to help Newport to the final of the Premiership last season, makes his first appearance of the campaign after suffering a summer ankle injury.

The 21-year-olds have both moved up the pecking order at the Dragons this season and can put the heat on Rhodri Williams and Dane Blacker.

PROMISING: Lock Barny Langton-Cryer is back from a knee injury for NewportPROMISING: Lock Barny Langton-Cryer is back from a knee injury for Newport (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Newport are also boosted by the return of lock Barny Langton-Cryer, whose exploits for the club have earned chances with the Dragons, after a pre-season knee injury.

Dragons fly-half Will Reed will hope to press his claims for the 10 jersey off the bench, with Newport opting for a six-two split.

The 22-year-old was frustrated when the Black and Ambers' game at Aberavon was abandoned then featured as a replacement against the Lions in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday.

Lloyd isn’t the only exciting Dragons prospect to feature for Pooler with Huw Anderson starting at full-back, Sam Scarfe is in at hooker and Harri Ford pulls the strings from fly-half, which leads to Kieran Meek starting in midfield.

There is also a more experienced professional player in the home ranks with lock Joe Davies, an unused replacement in the URC game against the Sharks, sent out for game time.

Second-placed Ebbw Vale head to the Brewery Field to try and maintain their fine start to the season against Bridgend.

The Steelmen have had just one slip up, against leaders Cardiff, and boss Jason Strange has named a settled side for the clash with the much-improved Ravens.

The only changes to the XV that beat RGC at Eugene Cross Park are up front with Canada flanker Sion Parry and loosehead Morgan Williams coming in.

Pontypool: Huw Anderson; Jordan Thomas, Joel Mahoney, Kieran Meek, Matthew Powell; Harri Ford, Morgan Lloyd; Sam Cochrane, Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams, Joe Davies, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain), Morgan Allen.

Replacements: Kyan Best, Connor Chapman, Owain James, Ieuan Jones, Callum Davies, Owain Leonard, Marcus Jones, Pat Lewis.

Newport: Ioan Davies; Lloyd Lewis, Jon Morris, Chay Foster-Smith, Liam Lloyd; Carwyn Penny, Che Hope; Tom Workman, Wade Langley, Nathan Evans, Max Williams, Barny Langton-Cryer, Josh Skinner, George Young, Ben Roach (captain).

Replacements: Henry Palmer, Harry Fry, Ollie Drake, Joe Peard, Kyle Tayler, Josh Reid, Dafydd Buckland, Will Reed.

Ebbw Vale: Matt Jones; Harry Rees-Weldon, Cameron Davies, Dom Franchi, Ewan Bowden; Evan Lloyd, Jon Evans; Morgan Williams, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins.

Replacements: Ieuan Morris, Luke Garrett, Adam Court, Lewis Young, Ben Main, Rory Harries, Josh Malson, Ieuan Evans.