In one of two games taking place, it’s a vital clash for the Drovers as they have two matches remaining while Llanelli and Bedwas, the other two clubs in the play-off hunt, have just one.
So tonight’s game in hand is vital to Llandovery’s championship hopes and they take on the Wizards on the back of a convincing home win over Neath on Saturday.
The Wizards had a good win themselves, bouncing back from their SWALEC Cup semi-final exit to record a season’s best 43-16 victory against Swansea, scoring five tries in the process.
They will be full of confidence, looking to finish what has been a very disappointing season by their high standards, on a high.
“We have to win both games and our destiny is in our own hands – it’s quite simple for us as a squad,” said Llandovery head coach Lyndon Lewis.
“We play open running rugby which is suitable for dry days. It’s fair to say we struggled in the mud during the winter months after a great start to the season.
“But our performances have improved recently and we’ve been picking up points.”
For tonight’s game, Llandovery can call on a similarly strong side to the one which got the better of Neath. Rhodri Williams starts at scrum half while Kieran Murphy, Aaron Warren and James Garland also feature.
The two sides met at the end of October at the Talbot Athletic Ground, that game ending in a 32-32 draw. At Church Bank, the Wizards lead the head-to-head record 11-5, though Llandovery were 31-7 winners when the sides met at the ground last season.
“We are going game by game and we can’t take our eye off tonight’s match and look ahead to Saturday. Our focus is on this match and this match only,” said Lewis.
“Aberavon are a proud side and won’t be coming up without a fight. We are expecting a full blooded performance and will be going out all guns blazing.”
In the other Premiership game taking place this evening, Cardiff travel to Swansea with Blue and Blacks head coach Martyn Fowler facing Swansea opposition in successive days.
Tonight’s game at St Helen’s is a clash between two historical rivals and takes place the day before the universities from the respective cities meet at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Cardiff Blues men Dan Fish and Jason Tovey both feature for Cardiff, the latter from the bench, while Fish continues his recovery from a long term injury and starts at full back.
