Preview: Principality Premiership

As Wales’s top flight moves into the home straight hearts will be broken and dreams realised with all still to play for at both ends of the table.
The Steelmen stole back the top spot with a 26-26 stalemate against Glamorgan Wanderers last weekend while the Drovers lost out 16-19 to Swansea.

Both sides need a return to winning ways with Ebbw Vale under pressure from title-chasing Neath, Newport and Pontypridd while Llandovery face up to the possibility of ASDA League rugby next term.

Second-from-bottom Maesteg play host to local rivals Bridgend in the return fixture of the Boxing Day clash at the Brewery Field.

The Ravens came out on top back in December, 20-15, but Maesteg saw off championship contenders Pontypridd 21-16 last weekend and will be keen to redress the balance on Saturday.

At the Arms Park, Konica Minolta Cup semi-finalists Cardiff take on beaten quarter-finalists Bedwas. The Blue and Blacks stunned champions Neath 25-21 last weekend and will be keen to keep the momentum going as they look to seal a top five finish.

Bedwas, meanwhile, lost out to Bridgend and would love to finish the season with a flourish, starting with a win in the capital.

At the Memorial Ground Glamorgan Wanderers front up to Simon King’s Pontypridd who lost out to Maesteg last weekend. Yet with Neath also losing and Ebbw Vale only managing a draw Ponty are still on course to steal the title, with games in hand over both sides.

Third placed Newport welcome Cross Keys to Rodney Parade on Saturday and are also in contention to take the championship. At Stradey Park Llanelli go head to head with Swansea with the teams separated by just two points.

Reigning champions Neath entertain Aberavon at the Gnoll on Sunday with a point to prove after they lost 25-21 to Cardiff last time out. Rowland Phillips’s side need to find consistency in the remaining games of the season to have any chance of taking a record third successive championship. The Wizards edged out Cross Keys 29-27 last time out but will need to work some magic to come away from the Gnoll with a result.