CROSS Keys coach Greg Woods expects a brutal battle when his troops take on Bedwas at the Bridge Field tomorrow.

The Keys boss said his players travel with confidence but insists they aren’t getting carried away by last week’s big Gwent derby win.

The Pandy Park outfit recorded a morale-boosting 30-16 win against Pontypool, only their second victory of the season.

Bedwas on the other hand went down to bottom club Llandovery 22-17 at home.

They now lead the Drovers by just two points with both sides securing just a solitary win each all season.

Woods said Keys are expecting a Bedwas backlash: “After losing to Llandovery, they will throw everything at us.

“We’ve got to be confident but we’re not getting carried away by our win last week. We can’t rest on our laurels.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a brutal game and we’ll have to fight for everything.

“It’s going to be a real battle and not a place for the faint-hearted. This game is as big for us as the Pontypool match was last week.”

Woods said Keys would be targeting the loose ball area: “We’ve got to win at the breakdown and Bedwas have been counter-rucking for years.

“They’ve got big ball carriers and their style of play is very similar to ours. Bedwas also have quality backs in Jimmy Norris and Adam Hughes.”

Keys have been hit by the news that outside-half Gavin Ashman is out for the season after dislocating his shoulder.

Woods said: “It’s bad news. Gavin just had his first start of the season and made a lovely break.”

On the positive side, he praised his team for their display against Pooler and singled out scrum-half James Leadbeater and Ashman’s replacement Ryan James for their performances.

He said: “It’s the best I’ve seen Ryan play. He was very authoritative. The boys were tapping him on the back after the game.”

Keys bring in Newport Gwent Dragon Gareth Maule on the wing and Carl Pocock in the centre while prop Julian Price, hooker Ashley James, lock Mark Curtis and flanker Rob Nash return to the pack.

Joe Deacon, a new fly-half signed from Rumney who has played for the Blues Under-20s, is on the bench.

Cross Keys: L Andrews, G Maule, C Pocock, S Regan, N Trowbridge, R James, O Jones, J Price, A James, C Gould, M Curtis, B Watkins (captain), C Bridges, R Nash, J Malpas. Replacements: J Egan, W Johnstone, J Deacon and forwards from D Preece, L Burns, G Gladwyn, T Lampard, A Jones.