Both sides suffered two consecutive defeats in the British & Irish Cup but Keys will be hoping a return to league action and home advantage will see an upturn in their fortunes.
They are boosted by the return of Nash while Kristian Baller makes his first start of the season. Luke Ford and Aled James form the centre partnership while Marc Jones replaces Craig Gould at tight head.
The return of a number of players from injury is a big boost for Keys’ head coach Greg Woods although it has been confirmed that both Ryan James and Jonny Lewis have suffered broken bones in their hands.
Bedwas have made an excellent start to the season and currently sit in third place, a point and a place above Keys though both sides have won five of their seven games so far.
After coming off the bench last week, half back pair Richard Powell and Tom Rowlands start for Bedwas in Saturday’s derby. Matthew John returns on the right wing after being rested last week while Ross Wardle moves into the centre to partner Scott Williams. Jack Dixon drops out of the 23.
Up front Simon Grainger retains the captaincy but it’s all change in the second row with James Thomas and Phil Rees coming in for Kyle Maiden and James Richards. The front row is reshuffled too with only Ian George retained from the cup defeat to Neath last week. Ben Roberts and Matthew Pettit come in for Rhys Hutcherson and Kristian Gay.
Last season saw Keys secure a league double over Bedwas. At the Bridge Field, Keys won 26-11 with two tries from Nathan Williams and 11 points from the boot of ex-Wales outside half Matthew Jones. At Pandy Park, Keys won 12-3 with two Nathan Trowbridge tries and a conversion by Steffan Jones. Bedwas could only manage a Richard Powell penalty in response.
There was also a meeting in the SWALEC Cup at Pandy Park at the end of January and just a single point separated the two sides as Keys started their successful cup campaign with a 10-9 win
With both sides looking for a response following defeats in the British & Irish Cup, the game has all the makings for a tasty derby clash.
Cross Keys: 15 Gareth David 14 Kristian Baller 13 Luke Ford 12 Aled James 11 Elliot Jones 10 Dean Gunter 9 Rhys Dyer, 1 Anthony Lott 2 Garry Horrigan 3 Marc Jones 4 Danny Hodge 5 Ollie Hodge 6 Rhys Peebles 7 Rob Nash (c) 8 Adam Powell
Replacements: Tom Lampard, Craig Gould, James Johnstone, Jamie Sollis, Nathan Williams, Dorian Jones, Owen Jones, Nathan Trowbridge.
Bedwas: 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Matthew John 13 Ross Wardle 12 Scott Williams 11 Rory Budina 10 Richard Powell 9 Tom Rowlands, 1 Ian George 2 Rhys Hutcherson 3 Kristian Gay 4 Phil Rees 5 James Thomas 6 Simon Grainger (c) 7 Tom Organ 8 Sam Feehan.
Replacements: Dan Preece, Matthew Petit, Ben Roberts, James Richards, Aaron Harris, Josh Davies, Ian Smerdon, Ryan Owen.
