Preview: Principality Premiership

At the Gnoll second placed Neath clash with third placed Newport with the sides level on points and both harbouring ambitions of winning the championship.

The Welsh All Blacks saw off Aberavon 39-19 last time out to keep their hopes of a record-breaking third championship alive and Rowland Phillips’s men could go top of the table and move a step closer to a third title with a win against the Black and Ambers on Saturday.

Yet Newport will have other ideas on the back of an 18-13 win over Llanelli and last weekend’s 20-17 victory over Cross Keys. A third win in as many games would propel Newport into pole position and with games in hand over both Neath and leaders Ebbw Vale make them title favourites.

Beaten Konica Minolta Cup quarter-finalists Bedwas go head to head with Aberavon at Bridge Field. Aberavon will be keen to return to winning ways following last weekend’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Neath.

Meanwhile, Bedwas are riding high after a narrow 30-32 win over Cardiff at the Arms Park in their last outing. The Wizards conjured up a 21-12 win when the sides met at the Talbot athletic Ground in December and Bedwas will be out for revenge on Saturday.

In the only other Premiership clash this weekend Swansea welcome Cross Keys to St. Helen’s. The All Whites notched an impressive 23-36 victory over Llanelli at Stradey Park last weekend while the Keys lost out 20-17 at the hands of title-chasing Newport.

Cross Keys triumphed 15-11 when the two sides met in December but on current form Swansea look set to redress the balance.