Cardiff recorded a rare win at Bridgend last time out and will be in no mood to surrender their unbeaten start to the season to their city neighbours.
Head Coach Justin Burnell has chosen to retain eighteen year-old Nathan Rees in the starting line-up after his try-scoring debut at the Brewery Field last week, though he moves to the wing with Richard Jones filling his centre berth.
There are also changes at half back, where Darren Allinson partners Craig Evans, in the back row, where No.8 Dan McShane plays his 94th game for the club and in the front five, which is bolstered by the inclusion of Blues squad members, Bradley Davies and Scott Roberts.
The Wanderers make the short trip across town still in search of a first league victory over their city rivals and they too show changes following last weekend’s 15-all draw with Llanelli.
Blues Academy players Luke Ford, son of Cardiff great Steve, and Scott Andrews win starting spots while Blues No.8 Andy Powell makes a long awaited return to action following shoulder surgery.
Neath, who are level with Cardiff at the top, will still be smarting from their surprise home loss to Ebbw Vale last weekend and it is Llandovery who are in line to face the potential backlash.
The Drovers are winless since the opening day of the season and went down heavily at Cross Keys last time out but they will not lie down on their own turf will be keen to give last season’s cup final hero, Howard Thomas, a warm welcome home.
Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale, fresh from last week’s heroics, will be out to maintain their hot streak but cannot afford to be complacent as they play host to a Bedwas side who also come in on the back of a solid victory last weekend, winning 19-6 at home to Swansea.
Ebbw can select from a near full-strength squad which includes Andrew McLaughlan, who if selected will make his 100th appearance for the club, and young centre James Lewis who was a Bedwas player last season.
Cross Keys’s win over Llandovery in the last round of games was their first home win of the season and they will have to be on top form to add to that win this week when Llanelli come to Pandy Park.
The Scarlets will have been disappointed to lose ground on the leaders after the draw with Glamorgan Wanderers but will be out to go one better on the road this week in what looks like being an exciting encounter.
Elsewhere Pontypridd, who are in free-fall after a good start to the campaign, welcome Newport to Sardis Road who in contrast have put a shaky start behind them and are quietly climbing the table.
Ponty have made six changes in their bid to stop the rot with Blues centre Tom Riley, Ynysybwl product Adam Thomas and returning winger Chris Clayton coming into the backline, while Ryan Hartford, Wayne O’Connor and Lee Evans are given a go in the pack.
Newport were 20-0 victors over Maesteg last weekend but will be well aware that they will have to raise their game a couple of notches to take the points this time out.
Maesteg will be looking to banish the memory of that loss to Newport with a good performance when they travel to St Helen’s to face Swansea. The Llynfi Road side will have been hugely disappointed with their showing at Rodney Parade after running leaders Neath so close the previous week but have an opportunity this Saturday against a faltering Swansea outfit who having shown glimpses of quality this season, still find themselves in 11th place.
Finally, Bridgend host Aberavon at the Brewery Field as their desperation for a first league win grows. They did secure a losing bonus point in their loss to Cardiff but need to go one better this week. The Wizards, after a good win over Pontypridd, will be keen to continue their climb up the league table and will take some beating.
