EBBW Vale and Cross Keys take to the field this afternoon knowing that victory will cement their place in the Principality Premiership playoffs, writes Chris Kirwan.

Champions Pontypridd have already secured top spot and home advantage in the final and it is a four-horse race to join them in the playoffs.

The Steelmen and Keys are hot favourites to contest the semi-final with today’s games having a big say in where that game will be played.

Ebbw head to Llanelli knowing that two points will secure a top-three berth ahead of Friday’s clash in Cardiff while victory would maintain their lead over Keys.

The men from Pandy Park will finish second if they win their remaining three fixtures with back-to-back fixtures against Bridgend coming after today’s tricky home clash with Ponty, who edged them out in a Swalec Cup thriller last weekend.

Keys make nine changes to the XV that lost the semi-final with Newport Gwent Dragons fly-half Angus O’Brien, fresh from Wales Sevens duty in Hong Kong and Japan, making his first appearance for the club since facing Ponty in December.

Dragons and Wales Under-20s props Luke Garrett and Leon Brown get the nod in the front row either side of Darren Hughes.

Bedwas and Cardiff, both six points back on Keys with the Blues and Blacks sitting fourth courtesy of having more wins, meet at Bridge Field with the winner keeping alive faint hopes of a playoff spot.

Steve Law names an unchanged XV from the side that superbly beat Ebbw Vale a fortnight ago while Dragons tighthead David Young and wing Matthew Pewtner are among the replacements.

Cross Keys (v Pontypridd): J Cordy-Redden, L Lewis, L Andrews (captain), N Williams, P Uhi, A O’Brien, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, L Brown, S Andrews, S Williams, T Lampard, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: H Palmer, A Lott, R Cornock, J Condy, N Trowbridge, E Davies, R James, D Hodge.

Bedwas (v Cardiff): H Thomson, L Hudd, A Pinches, M Callow, M John, R Powell, T Rowlands, B Toms, R Wilkes, M Pettit, P Rees, K Maiden, J Sawyer, G Lee, D Mattravers. Replacements: A Rees, D Preece, D Young, J Richards, S Grainger, L Crane, S Thomas, M Pewtner.

- IN the Swalec Championship Bargoed will seal the title if they avoid suffering a first league loss of the season at Newbridge, who are on a four-game losing streak since moving away from a relegation battle.

Sadly bottom club Blackwood look condemned to the drop and must win both of their remaining games – they haven’t enjoyed a success since October – to stand a chance of survival.

After a series of heavy defeats they will be aiming to put in a spirited display at fifth-placed Pontypool, who are on a high after last weekend’s super win against fourth-placed Merthyr.

Elsewhere Swansea host Narberth, Bridgend Athletic take on Llanharan, Glynneath head to Cardiff Met, RGC make the trip to Merthyr and Tata Steel clash with Tondu.

- IN the Swalec Bowl Division Three East A pair Oakdale and Ynysddu will be attempting to earn spots at the Millennium Stadium finals day.

Oakdale sit fifth in the table and aim to topple Division Three East Central B’s Cambrian Welfare at Nelson (kick-off 2.30pm) while promotion-chasing Ynysddu are second in the league and go up against unbeaten Division Three West Central C side Ystradgynlais at Taffs Well (kick-off 3pm).