Pontypridd may have already secured top spot, earning a home play-off final in the process, but three clubs remain in the hunt to play the Sardis Road club.
Llandovery, Bedwas and Llanelli are all in contention for a semi-final play-off and with the way the fixtures have fallen, there is plenty to enthuse fans of all three clubs.
Fourth placed Bedwas host second placed Llandovery at the Bridge Field while Llanelli, in third, are away to Pontypridd.
Just three points separate second from fourth so things could barely be tighter. If any of the sides are level on points at the end of tomorrow’s games, the team with the most league wins will be given preference. If the number of wins is equal, the club with the most tries scored will finish higher.
After a superb season, one which has arguably surpassed expectations, Bedwas know a home win is a must if they are to reach the play-offs. For tomorrow’s game, the Gwent outfit welcome back Matthew Pewtner and Lewis Robling, both of whom started for the Dragons against Munster last weekend.
“It’s pretty simple, it’s a cup final for us and the other two teams involved,” said Bedwas head coach Steve Law.
“In one way it’s great it’s come down to this and there’s still a lot of interest in the game. But at the same time, it’s tense and there’s a lot to play for.”
While Bedwas have a couple of their regional men returning, Llandovery are without livewire scrum half Rhodri Williams. Robert Walters takes over but with Chris Knight and Aaron Warren on either wing, the Drovers will be looking to make it two from two this week, following Wednesday’s win over Aberavon.
“Llandovery have got a very good side and they have had a great start and end to the season,” said Law.
“They’ve won their last couple with bonus points so they’re going to be a tough challenge. We’ve got to be at our best and keep mistakes to an absolute minimum.
“It’s great to have the likes of Lewis Robling back. We are hoping it will make a big difference as these players make our side a lot stronger. With our game based around gain line speed, they are vital to us in that respect.”
While Bedwas host Llandovery, third placed Llanelli visit top of the table Pontypridd. Dale McIntosh’s side are still in contention for a league and cup double and remarkably, are yet to be beaten at home in this campaign.
The two teams have met twice already this season, Pontypridd victorious on both occasions. Geraint Walsh, hooker Darran Harris, prop Chris Phillips and second row Craig Locke all return from injury for the leaders.
New combinations are tried with Gavin Dacey and Tom Pascoe linking at centre, Simon Humberstone and Joel Raikes at half back and Jake Thomas moving across the scrum to openside flanker.
“When you think back to when the season started in September, it’s amazing we still don’t know who are the two teams going through,” said Llanelli head coach Anthony Buchanan.
“Fair play to Pontypridd, they are the best side in the league and they have beaten us twice this season.
“They are a quality outfit and they deserve to be top of the pile. It will be tough tomorrow but we are going there to win.”
Buchanan has named a strong side for the trip to Pontypridd. Nic Reynolds will be looking to continue his recent scoring spree from outside centre with the impressive Dan Thomas starting at openside.
“It’s difficult to know what we need to do, a losing bonus point might be enough, if we score four tries that might be enough too,” said Buchanan.
“But if we try our best and play to win then we’ll see what happens.”
While the top four sides take centre stage, there are three other games to take place.
There is an Ospreylian derby at the Talbot Athletic Ground as Aberavon welcome Bridgend. Carmarthen Quins visit Cross Keys while Neath warm up for the SWALEC Cup final with a meeting with Cardiff.
Bedwas: 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Lewis-Jon Hudd 13 Matthew Pewtner 12 Scott Williams-Greenway11 Rory Budina 10 Lewis Robling 9 Thomas Rowlands, 1 Ian George 2 Elliot Dee 3 Matthew Pettit 4 Kyle Maiden 5 Phillip Rees 6 Simon Grainger (c) 7 Phillip Sergeant 8 Deri Mattravers.
Replacements: Daniel Preece, Robert Hutcherson, Matthew Phelps, James Mark Thomas, James Benjamin, Joshua Davies, Will Owen, Ethan Davies.
Llandovery: 15 Lee Philip Rees 14 Christopher Knight 13 Mathew Jacobs 12 Jack Roberts 11 Aaron Warren 10 Cerith Rees 9 Robert Walters, 1 Owain Jones 2 David Emyr Phillips 3 Peter Edwards 4 Shaun Jones 5 Bryn Griffiths 6 Phillip Day (c) 7 Shaun Miles 8 Kieran Murphy.
Replacements: Thomas Jones, Dorian Williams, Llewelyn Jones, Luke Kendall, Jonathan Lewis, Richard Brooks, Jake Randell, James Garland.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Chris Clayton 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Tom Pascoe 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Joel Raikes, 1 Stuart Williams 2 Jack Dando 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Cory Hill (c) 6 Ed Siggery 7 Jake Thomas 8 Owen Sheppeard.
Replacements: Gareth James, Dai Flanagan, Gareth Wyatt, Darran Harris, Tom Hetherington, Chris Dicomidis, Chris Phillips, Jack Dunning.
Llanelli: 15 Dale Ford 14 Kristian Phillips 13 Nic Reynolds 12 Chris Keenan 11 Josh Adams 10 Jordan Williams 9 Justin James, 1 Rhys Thomas 2 Kirby Myhill 3 Jamie Kaijaks 4 Adam Powell (c) 5 Nathan White 6 Duane Eager 7 Dan Thomas 8 Stuart Leach.
Replacements: Tom Sloane, Craig Hawkins, Lewis Rawlins, Greg George, George Hardy, Johnny Lewis, Steffan Hughes, Ben Leung.
Tomorrow’s Premiership Fixtures (All KO 2.30pm)
Aberavon v Bridgend
Bedwas v Llandovery
Cross Keys v Carmarthen
Neath v Cardiff Rugby
Pontypridd v Llanelli
