WRU Championship:

Cardiff Met v Narberth

Despite last week’s cracking home win over Newbridge, The Otters have made five changes to their starting XV for today with Nick Gale (full back), Jo Hutchings (centre), Gethin Gibby (wing), Dan Jacobs (prop) and Sean Jenkins (flanker) all coming in.

Much of last Saturday’s 35-19 success was due to a sublime 30-point haul from No 10 Ianto Griffiths, and he is likely to attract much attention from a Cardiff Met side that is always fit and organised.

The students ran Tata Steel close last Saturday, going down 27-22 in Port Talbot – and an away win for Sean Gale’s side in Cardiff really would cement a superb start.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Liam Hutchings, Jo Hutchings, Paul Davies, Gethin Gibby, Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Dan Jacobs, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (captain), Tom Powell, Sean Jenkins, Rich Rees.

Replacements: Bradley Davies, Rhodri Owens, Pat Roberts, Jonathan Rogers, Kieran Griffiths.

Division One West:

Crymych v Aberystwyth

The Preseli Men, as always, played some enterprising rugby last week, but three tries was not enough to prevent them coming away with nothing from Dunvant.

If the weather holds, their clash with Aber later could be pleasing on the eye, with the likes of youngsters Jake Jenkins and Ifan Phillips looking to shine again with ball in hand for the home side.

But Aber themselves can play, as they showed in the Pembrokeshire KO Cup final at the same venue last year, and will threaten out wide if given the chance.

The Mid-Wales side are also looking to bounce back from an opening day defeat, beaten 16-12 at home by Penclawdd.

Kidwelly v Tenby United

It was a flying start for The Seasiders last week, scoring six tries in a 41-22 hammering of Llanelli Wanderers.

But today will be a sterner test against the Division One West champions themselves, Kidwelly.

Following the long term injury to Dan Birch last week, it is Craig Barnett and Scott James who have been named to line up for the first time together in the centre, in what appears a strong looking backline.

Skipper Luke Hansford was one to cross the whitewash last week and he will again be out to lead by example – and this clash is perhaps an early indication as to whether Tenby can realistically challenge at the top end of their new league.

And they will come up against a Kidwelly team perhaps stung somewhat last week by a surprise 38-31 defeat at Gowerton.

Tenby United: Jonny Morgan, Moritz Neumann, Craig Barnett, Scott James, Jordan Asparassa, Ashley Sutton, Matthew Morgan, Rob Clark, Gethin Thomas, Lewis Davies, Jack Clancy, Luke Dedman, Barry Parsons, Luke Hansford (captain), Roy Osborn.

Replacements: Joe Poole, Rob Luly, Mike Davis, Andrew Cooke, Jevon Barnes.

Division Two West:

Fishguard v Carmarthen Athletic

The Seagulls begin their campaign here, but will do so with their backline hit by unavailability.

The likes of James Griffiths, Sam Kurtz, Ed Bendall, Ben John, and David Evans are all missing, with Jerome Conlan now travelling in New Zealand.

But led by hooker Gavin Walsh, The Seagulls still possess a formidable pack, and the inclement weather scheduled to sweep into Pembrokeshire tomorrow may suit them.

Revenge may also be on the minds of coaches Gareth Thomas, Huw Evans and co – against an Athletic side who did the double over Fishguard last season.

Fishguard squad: Andrew Morrilo, Gavin Walsh, Ryan McVeigh, Richard Hunter, Luke Freebury, Jordan James, Chris Shousha, Simon James, Daniel Evans, Alun George, Thomas George, Gareth Adamson, Michael Jenkins, Mathew George, Edward Bendall, Owain Rowlands, Jason Davies, Liam Wilkes, Mark George.

Whitland v St Clears

One of the more tasty clashes of the day undoubtedly comes at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.

A few years ago, with the teams five divisions apart, the prospect of Whitland playing St Clears in a league fixture would have been inconceivable.

But following the WRU re-structure, and relegation for The Borderers last season coupled with St Clears winning Division Three West A – the pair will meet this afternoon.

Whitland kicked off with a cracking win in Pontyberem last Saturday, and new signing Josh Thomas comes into the centre, while Adam Davies starts at scrum half.

To add spice to the fixture, The Saints are of course coached by former Whitland player Mike Jones, with former Borderers Will Davies, Mike Georgiou, Courtney Bowman, and Alan Proctor amongst a host of names in line to face their former club tomorrow.

Let’s just say the opening stages could be feisty – both on the field and in the stands.

Whitland: Scott Newton, Aron Ebsworth, Johnny Thomas, Josh Thomas, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Mike Ryan, Marc Jones (captain), Aaron Mayne, Raff Williams, Dai Ebsworth, Ben Kirk, Ryan Michael, Jack Mason.

Replacements: Tomos Evans, Danny Evans, James Lewis, Tom Parry, Scott Candler.

Division Three West A:

Aberaeron v Haverfordwest

The Blues were not in action last Saturday, and open up with a tricky fixture here.

Bruce Evans’ side were heavily beaten by Aberystwyth in their Pembrokeshire KO Cup game, but is hard to gage what shape they will be in against an Aberaeron team that opened up with a comfortable win over St Davids last week.

But it was only in the second half when they ran the legs off The Saints, and will come up against a considerably fitter and more physical challenge in Haverfordwest.

If at full strength, The Blues should prevail.

Neyland v Milford Haven

Expect another ferocious derby at The Athletic Club when these two old rivals meet.

The All Blacks have waited some considerable time to defeat Milford in league action, and the disappointment of player-coach Steve Martin was clear after they failed to come away with anything from Pembroke last week.

Led by Mark James, Neyland will undoubtedly raise their game tomorrow, but keeping their heads whilst at the same time, playing with fire, may be the key if they are to upset The Mariners.

Milford themselves showed their resilience last week, as despite a first half red card to Luke Ryan, their pack in particular dug in superbly against Laugharne, and it took an injury time try for the visitors to snatch a draw and deny Alan McClelland’s team the win.

The strong running of centre Dan Jenkins was also key to their display, as was the work rate of second row Dai Sweeny – but The Mariners will be braced for a physical test in all departments.

Expect a tight game, with a few cards to boot.

Pembroke Dock Quins v Pembroke

The Quins struggled last season, and yet raised their game immensely for their two clashes with The Scarlets.

They were seconds away from victory first time around, before essentially derailing the title challenge of their old rivals with a 5-0 win in January.

Ossie Boswell’s side battled hard in Cardigan last week and were unlucky not to come away with a bonus point, and should they have everyone available tomorrow, as they often do with this fixture, it will be close.

Pembroke beat Neyland 60-19 last week, and showcased their ability to attack from deep and score tries at will.

Toby Smith, with four of their tries against Neyland, will again look to call the shots, and The Quins will inevitably want to shut down his space.

This one may not be pretty – but will be well worth a watch.

St Davids v Llangwm

Another clash of great importance takes place at St Davids, when they host Llangwm.

The two have traditionally battled at the bottom of the table in recent years, and last season it was The Wasps who came away with the double over a Saints side that failed to register a league win.

It was a tough away day for Rhys Price and co last week, but you can expect them to be a lot stronger in personnel and performance today.

The Wasps had plenty of positives last Saturday despite a 42-23 home defeat to Tregaron, and the return of Steve Inward, who landed 12 points with the boot, is a major plus point.

Expect both sides to give everything here as they eye up a vital chance of a victory, and as always, it’s unlikely there will be much in it by the end.

Tregaron v Cardigan

A new look Cardigan battled past Pembroke Dock Quins 22-12 last week, and again, they have named an unfamiliar line-up for today.

But the short term loss in players for The Teifisdiers may well result in a long term gain, and many of their younger personnel will be braced for a tough test.

Also, they still have the experience of second row Rob Connolly and skipper Emyr Harries, amongst others, who will be all too aware of how tricky Tregaron are on their own patch.

The visitors will also need to close down the space of home centre Melfyn Davies, who grabbed a hat trick in that win at Pill Parks last weekend.

Cardigan: Ben Rogers, Rhydian Jenkins, Emyr Harries (captain), Tom Taylor, Gruff Lewis, Llyr Jones, Will Brice, Luke Palmer-Davies, Ben Hughes, Dean Harries, Rob Connolly, Daf Rotie, Geraint Williams, Llyr Giffiths.

Replacements: Stuart Davies, Richard Jones, Sion Phillips, Sion Hughes, Justin Noble.