“I was bitterly disappointed with last week’s result. We created enough chances to win the game which unusually for us we did not take,” said Law.
“Merthyr were more clinical on the day and deserved their cup success, but I am hoping we will more clinical in this match. Last week’s encounter was a competitive affair, but this is a different competition on a different day and I’m looking for our boys to make amends.”
Law makes one change to the backs which started last week with Pat Lewis replacing Rory Budina. Up front Rhys Hutcherson starts at hooker, backed up by hooker Darran Harris from the Dragons. James Thomas starts at blindside flanker with Andrew Waite moving to the bench.
The Army’s James S Dixon comes in on the replacements bench and Ross Wardle makes his keenly anticipated Bedwas comeback with a place on the bench. Merthyr have made several changes to their victorious cup team.
In come props Louis Jones and Rhys James an there is also a first start for former Wales second row Lou Reed. In the back division there is a first start for the former Llanelli scrum half Justin James, while Alex Howman returns on the wing.
Reigning Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale head to Carmarthen Quins with the Lewis twins, James and Rob, in the starting XV after their return from London Welsh. The Steelmen squeezed past Championship side Beddau 7-3 in the cup last weekend, but beat Aberavon in their last Tier 1 outing.
Llandovery will had to Sardis Road hoping to make it three wins in a row over Pontypridd in the other Friday night fixture. Ponty were beaten 27-3 at Church Bank in the first half of the season and lost in the semi-finals of the National Cup, 25-16, last season.
Last weekend’s cup win over Newport caused a few more injury worries for the Ponty coaches. No 8 Dan Godfrey is ruled out with a jarred neck, while former Wales outside half Ceri Sweeney is sidelined with a knee strain and wing Chris Clayton is also out with a knee injury picked up playing for Ystrad Rhondda.
Aberavon will be seeking a double over RGC 1404 at the Talbot Athletic Ground having won 22-11 at Parc Eirias in the first half of the season. The game will see former Wales Under 20 full back Afon Bagshaw make his 100th appearance for the Gogs.
In Tier 2, Newport will host Cardiff in the 424th meeting between the two clubs and Llanelli will entertain Bridgend in the Saturday lunchtime fixtures. Swansea host Cross Keys at St Helen’s for the first time since 2013 in a Friday night fixture.
Principality Premiership Tier 1
24 February 2017
Carmarthen Quins v Ebbw Vale (7.15pm)
Pontypridd v Llandovery (7.30pm)
25 February 2017
Aberavon v RGC 1404 (12.00 noon)
Bedwas v Merthyr (12.00 noon)
Aberavon: TBC
Bedwas: Aaron Bramwell; Pat Lewis, Adam Williams, Mike Callow, Matthew John; Richard Powell, Nicky Griffiths (captain); Dan Preece, Rhys Hutcherson, Matthew Pettit, Geraint Edmunds, Joe Davies, James Thomas, George Lee, Robson Blake
Reps: Brynley Toms, Darran Harris, Chris Budgen, James Richards, Andrew Waite, Tom Rowlands, James S. Dixon, Ross Wardle
Carmarthen Quins: Gavin Thomas; Chris Banfield, Josh Batcup, John Williams, Kieran Jones; Steffan Marshall, Connor Lloyd; Nathan Williams, Torin Myhill, Andrew Clatworthy, Josh Helps, Lee Taylor, Shaun Jones, Shaun Evans, Lawrence Reynolds
Reps: Gethin Robinson , Rhodri Clancy, Javan Sebastian, Andrew Green, Lewys Millin, Gareth George, Craig Evans, Dylan Morgans
Ebbw Vale: Dan Haymond; Chris Levesley, Nathan Preece, Dominic Franchi, James Lewis; Josh Lewis, Rob Lewis; Ross Jones, Joe Franchi, Rob Sevenoaks, Damien Hudd (captain), Lance Randall, Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Jonathan Davies
Reps: Jonny Bowen, Ian George, Gethin Robinson, Joe Bartlett, Jack Goodey, Chris Thomas, Dai Langdon, Srdan Majkic
Llandovery: Mike Evans; Rhodri Wall, Richard Smith, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Warren; Jack Maynard, Lee Rees; Dean Howells, Taylor Davies, Scott Jenkins, Bryn Griffiths, Joe Powell, Duane Eager. Stuart Worrall, Richard Brooks (captain)
Reps: Berian Watkins, Jamie Hughes, Jake Baker, Richard Rees, Matthew Moore, Scott Gibson, Jack Parkinson, James Davies
Merthyr: Matthew Jarvis; Richard Carter, Terri Gee, Gavin Dacey, Alex Howman; Gareth Davies, Justin James; Louis Jones, Rhys Williams, Rhys James, Lou Reed, Craig Locke (captain), Tom Daley, Osian Davies, Phil Rees
Reps: Nathan Trevett, Matt Dwyer, Nathan Buck, Nick White, Matthew Rees, Rhys Downes, Kyle Evans, Owen Howe
Pontypridd: Gary Williams; Lewis I Williams, Bradley Coombes, Dafydd Lockyer (captain), Dale Stuckey; Callum Hall, Wayne Evans; Sam May, Liam Belcher, Mitch Auger, Lee Evans, Chris Dicomidis, Jake Thomas, Rhys Shellard, Hemi Barnes
Reps: Joel Raikes, Lewis K Williams, Joe Davies, Huw Dowden, Alun Lawrence, Peter Sidoli, Joe Popple, Dan Matthews
RGC1404: Afon Bagshaw; Sam Jones, Tom Hughes, Tiaan Loots, Rhys Williams; Jacob Botica, Alex
Schwarz; Phil John, Rhys Williams, Ross Davies, Maredydd Francis (captain), Henri Williams, Andrew Williams, Will Bryan, Huw Worthington
Reps: George Roberts, Jordan Scott, Joe Simpson, Josh Leach, Dan Owen, Efan Jones, Ianto Pari, Carwyn Ap Myrddin
Tier 2
24 February 2017
Swansea v Cross Keys (7.30pm)
25 February 2017
Llanelli v Bridgend (12.00 noon)
Newport v Cardiff (12.00 noon)
Bridgend: Mathew Edwards; Garin Lougher, Joe Gatt, Ryan Evans, Mike Powell; Joe Scrivens, Chris Williams; Ollie Evans, Iestyn Merriman, Garyn Daniel, Owain Lloyd, Jon Kenny, Tom Morgan, Jon Dawe, Ashton Evans (captain)
Reps: Huw Wilkes, Eddie Drake, Cai Lewis, Matthew John, Adam O’Driscoll, Connor Tantum, Jamie Murphy, Dan Howells
Cardiff: Gareth Thompson; James Beal, Harri Millard, Will Rees Hole, Ceri Young; Jarrod Evans, Pele Cowley; Gavin Nash, Joe Tomlinson, Aled Rees, Jack Davies, James Murphy, James Sheekey, Jordan Viggers, Ben Thomas
Reps: Joe Page, Rob Lewis, Ben Leung, Sean Driscoll, Scott Griffiths, Liam Free, James Whittingham, Olli Smyth
Cross Keys: Leon Andrews; Mathew Powell, Lewis Barnett, Phil Williams (captain), Joe Goodchild; Josh Prosser, Owain Leonard; Lewis Smout, Rob Jones, Richard Cornock, Danny Hodge, Scott Andrews, Tom Lampard, Rhys Fitzgerald, Adam Powell
Reps: Darren Hughes, Gwesyn Price-Jones, Gary Carpenter, Scott Matthews, Ieuan Jones, Barney Nightingale, James Leadbeater, Nathan Trowbridge
Llanelli: TBC
Newport: TBC
Swansea: Rhys Williams; Luke Griffiths, Ryan Evans, Jed Evans, Jon Bayliss; Jac Wilson, Rhodri Wells; Tom Sloane (captain), Ash James, Mitchell Walsh, Gavin Ronan, Tudor Hughes, Adam Thresher, Jack Perkins, Jon Fox
Reps: Paul John, Dan Kenny, Richard Murphy, Matt Dodd, Emyr Williams, Mike Jones, Dai Watts, Josh Martin
