PONTYPOOL coach Gareth Lintern expects Cross Keys to come at them with ‘all guns blazing’ in their eagerly-anticipated Gwent derby at Pandy Park tomorrow.

The two sides are currently experiencing contrasting fortunes.

Pooler travel the short distance to Keys looking for a hat-trick of wins and have won three out of their last four games.

Keys, on the other hand, haven’t won since their 22-21 opening day of the season home victory over Swansea.

Since then they have lost five on the trot and are really hurting after their 36-7 defeat at Aberavon last Saturday.

Lintern thinks his side are assured of a warm welcome: “I’m expecting an extremely physical game and I think Keys will come at us with all guns blazing,” he said.

“The players and the club are really looking forward to the game and going to Pandy Park where I’m sure the sun will be shining, the ground will be baking hot and the grass lush!”

Pooler recorded their first back to back wins last Saturday when they beat Bedwas 18-13 at home in a bruising battle.

Their defeat of Llandovery 13-11 the weekend before was another tough encounter.

And Lintern believes his promoted Pooler getting better with each game: “I think we are improving week after week. You have to keep concentrating in this league and strive to improve.

“Tomorrow is a different kind of challenge because we are playing an established Premiership side and a local rival so there’s that added pressure.”

And Lintern is looking forward to pitting his wits against respected rival coach Greg Woods: “We know each other because we are both doing the same Level 4 coaching course and are quite friendly although we haven’t discussed the game. I’m sure it will be a game of chess!”

Pooler are without Newport Gwent Dragons utility back Tal Selley this week. He plays on the wing for the region tomorrow against Gloucester at Kingsholm in the EDF Energy Cup.

Pontypool: N Preece, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Robinson, D Phillips, D Gravell, S Mills, T Edwards, J Jeune, L Jones (capt), S McGuire, K Maiden, D Cox, R Bowen, A Brake, C Trayhern. Replacements: M Thomas, P Price, M Lewis, M Dwyer, S Pailor, B Salt, N Coughlin