CROSS Keys will share their hosts’ desire for precious league points when they head to Glamorgan Wanderers tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 1.30pm).

The Ely-based outfit are desperate to record just their third Premiership win of the campaign but the Keys also have plenty of motivation.

Three league successes on the spin has helped the Pandy Park outfit to eighth in the table, a position that would put them in the play-offs for the final place in next season’s British and Irish Cup.

Keys were dumped out of the Swalec Cup by Swansea a fortnight ago but the carrot of participating in the cross-border competition is ensuring their season doesn’t tail off. “All our eggs are in one basket now,” said captain Rob Nash.

“It was a shame to go out of the cup at the first stage but that does concentrate our minds on the league.

“It would be massive if we could make it into the British and Irish Cup and we are really focussed on finishing the season strongly.

“We need the points as much as the Wanderers – they are fighting for survival and we are fighting for the top half of the table.”

Tomorrow’s hosts will be looking for their third win on the spin after edging past Llandovery in the league and Corus (Port Talbot) in the cup.

They scored 41 points in both those games but shipped 33 points against the Drovers and 36 to the Division One West side.

Defence has been a problem all season for the Wanderers – the concede an average of 42 points a Premiership game – but flanker Nash doesn’t expect an easy encounter.

“Looking at their results it seems like they have improved from earlier in the season (when Keys won 59-20 at Pandy Park),” he said.

“We are expecting a tough game but it is one that we have to win if we are to finish in the top half. We have been playing some nice rugby and there is real competition for places. That’s shown in the back row where (head coach) Greg Woods has had some really tough decisions.”

The coaches opt to move Tom Lampard back to lock with Nash and Rhys Peebles slotting into the back row either side of the in-form Marc Popham. Gareth David starts at fly-half while centre Phil Williams makes a welcome return on the bench.

Cross Keys: R Lee, N Trowbridge, L Andrews, N Williams, J Davies, G David, R James, R Cornock, R Emms, M Jones, T Lampard, D Hodge, R Peebles, R Nash, M Popham. Replacements: J Sollis, C Bridges, J Price, M Curtis, M Mangeolles, P Williams, O Jones.