Crymych eye revenge over Whitland

WRU Championship:

Swansea v Narberth

On the one hand, Sean Gale and co will relish the chance to play at a Premiership ground against one of the traditional club giants of Welsh rugby.

On the other, they could be forgiven for wondering if they really need this cup tie.

Regardless, it will be a good measure of how far off the top flight sides The Otters are, and Swansea won't take them lightly.

There are changes from the side that beat Newcastle Emlyn before Christmas as Jack Price moves back onto the wing as Jake Jenkins comes into midfield, with Ianto Griffiths back at No 10. Ryan Bean is abck in the second row and despite a man of the match display against Emlyn, Tom Powell drops to the bench.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Jack Price, Kieran Jones, Jake Jenkins, Will Lewis, Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Daniel Jacobs, Rhodri Owens, Tom Kaijaks, Ryan Bean, Alex Jenkins (capt), Richard Rees, Andrew Cooke, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Bradley Davies, Jake Simms, Tom Slater, Tom Powell, Harry Smith, Matthew Morgan, Jonny Morgan, Jonathan Rogers.

Division One West:

Crymych v Whitland

Crymych come into this on a roll.

They now have our league wins in five, including that 30-10 win over Aber last week, and seem to be clicking both up front and behind. Hooker Aled Harries one of many stand out performers last week and they will be eyeing pay back after losing 23-21 at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn back in September.

The Borderers though have not played since losing to Dunvant on December 8th - and their frustration at Tenby's postponement last Saturday was evident. Especially as they can ill afford to start off the pace here.

They've named James Stephenson at No 10 with Nico Setaro again switching to full back, while there is a rare start at flanker for Danny Evans. Tomos Evans also comes into the front row.

Whitland: Nico Setaro, Liam Price, Gino Setaro, Josh Thomas, Rhys Schiavone, James Stephenson, Adam Davies, Tomos Evans, Marc Jones (capt), Michael Ryan, Courtney Bowman, Ben Kirk, Ryan Morgan, Danny Evans, Jack Mason. Replacements: Aaron Mayne, Jamie Thomas, Jimmy Buirds, Scott Buirds, James Thomas.

Tenby United v Yr Hendy

Tenby's decision not to go to Whitland last week, citing a lack of front row players, caused a stir and understandably so. It was a strange call on to make on Thursday morning with more than 48 hours left to sort things.

Aber losing at least meant the gap between the Seasiders and safety stayed at 12 points, but they still must start winning pronto.

And they'll need a big performance tomorrow against an Yr Hendy side that have surprised many this season, lying fourth and still in the hunt for back to back promotions.

Tenby did get some joy in the clash between the two in September though before losing 30-17, but a similar result won't do tomorrow. They'll want to put last weekend behind them - and the best way to do that is to win here.

Tenby United: Shane Rossiter, Mark Hamilton, Jack Parkinson, Moritz Neumann, Geraint Powell, Lloyd Thomas, Ben Pugh, Ethan Morgan, Tom Barrass, Rob Luly, Luke Dedman, Charlie Patching, Jack Broadhurst, Mike Davis, Roy Osborn. Replacements: Rob Clark, Nicky Guymer, Wyndham Williams, Rob Tuttle, Jack Tucker.

Division Two West:

Burry Port v Fishguard

These two played out a nail biter in Fishguard earlier in the season, with Burry Port prevailing 17-12.

The table suggests another tight one is in store with the Seagulls lying ninth and their hosts 10th.

But after a flying start which saw them win four from their first five, Burry Port have not tasted a league win since October 6th, although came within a whisker last week in that 13-10 defeat at Loughor. They are also likely to have former Whitland second row Micaiah Jones in their squad again.

Fishguard have improved as the season has gone on but would have been left with a familiar feeling of 'one that got away' last week, beaten 15-13 by Pembroke in the final minute. The Seagulls are capable of competing with anyone in the division but too often, are missing out in tight games.

But with a full squad, they have every chance here.

Pembroke v Carmarthen Athletic

While the afore mentioned game was frustrating for Fishguard, it was huge for Pembroke. There is a hell of a lot to do yet - but the notion of back to back promotions remains alive.

Earlier in the season missed chances cost them dear in a 27-11 loss at Athletic, but they have since got on a roll. No 10 Toby Smith has been instrumental of late and it was his last gasp penalty that sealed the points on Saturday.

They will be aware Athletic have a more than capable goal kicker of their own in Mike Sauro and full back Robbie Jones will be threat. They will also be reeling from that shock 11-5 defeat to St Clears on the weekend.

It won't be easy but the Scarlets start favourites - and can't afford to slip up with home games now if they want to eventually finish top two.

St Clears v Penclawdd

Suddenly for St Clears, it's mission possible.

After that win at Athletic, inspired by Will Davies' interception try and a titanic defensive effort, they are back within nine points of Burry Port with two games in hand.

They now must get on a roll although it won't be easy here, with Penclawdd the runaway leaders and coming off the back of beating Mumbles 29-15.

At the very least, the Carmarthenshire Saints must match their commitment of last week and make life difficult for The Cocklemen.

Do that, and they have a chance.

Division Three West A:

Cardigan v Tregaron

While Cardigan would have been downhearted to lose so narrowly in Aberaeron last week, it was another improved display as their form continues to pick up.

They pushed the Mid Wales side hard before losing 8-3, and Colin Davies will now want no less than a win from this.

But a Tregaron are no longer the vulnerable side that started the season so badly. Yes they were hammered at Neyland before Christmas, but were much more resolute in the 28-11 defeat to Llanybydder last week and I'd expect them to have a stronger second half of the season. They have had two league points deducted this week though for an earlier non fulfillment.

This is also one of their shorter away trips, so this is no walkover for The Teifisiders.

Cardigan: Llyr Jones, Rhydian Jenkins, John Lumb (capt), Sion Hughes, Kieran Hurley, Emyr Harries, Gwern Phillips, William Brice, Luke Palmer-Davies, Andrew Fletcher, Dylan Davies, Osian Rees, Samuel Trevor, Bedwyr Davies, Colin Davies. Replacements: Ben Hughes, Dean Harries, Dyfed Symmons, Tom Dunn, Joe Mansfield.

Llangwm v Laugharne

The Wasps head into this with their tails up. To win in St Davids, and get a four try bonus point, was a significant win and hooker and skipper Gethin Thomas was outstanding up front.

Prop Dan Breeze has also returned to bolster the front row of late and I'd expect them to have a real go at Laugharne with little to lose.

And The Cocklemen can't afford to be caught cold - despite only playing one league game in five weeks in that 13-0 loss at Cardigan.

They were hit by injuries that day, including skipper Carl Smith, and will need to travel strong to avoid a potential dog fight at Pill Parks.

Llanybydder v Neyland

A big game for both this.

Llanybydder have lost three times and Neyland four, and in reality both are too far away now to be seriously considered title contenders. But neither will want to fall away and let a decent season became an ordinary one.

Bydder had to work hard to win in Tregaron last week and have a point to prove after losing 22-16 at The Athletic Club in September.

The All Blacks meanwhile, had a bad day at the office last weekend in that 13-10 defeat in Pembroke Dock. Their squad has been stretched by injuries this past month and that has caught up with them - and the sending off of Sam Cataki at Bierspool means they will be further depleted when his ban is finalised.

But they are a young side and coaches Graham Richards and Steve Evans will know bad displays are part and parcel of developing. This isn't an easy place to go and bounce back - but they'll be determined to do so.

Milford Haven v St Davids

There may be a long way to go, but after that win in Haverfordwest Milford's sights will now be firmly set on the title.

One thing Nathan Williams has done well this season is rotate his selection sensibly. The fact both he and assistant Steve Martin started in Merlins Bridge was a clear indicator The Mariners meant business. He'll want a bonus point win from this no doubt - but I don't expect the same starting XV.

St Davids meanwhile, will have to dig deep. Losing to Llangwm would have deflated them and the Saints have leaked way too many points against the league's better teams this year. At the very least, they have to front up defensively and make it difficult for The Mariners, or another long afternoon awaits.

Pembroke Dock Quins v Haverfordwest

Before last weekend, you would have thought this will be a routine win for Haverfordwest.

But the dynamic has changed. The Quins shocked a lot of people by beating Neyland with the debut of No 9 Gethin Bradney (alongside brother Rhys at half back) one major plus point. They were boosted by the likes of Aaron James on permit from Tenby but still, the result should lift everyone at Bierspool.

And that's despite also having two points deducted by the WRU this week for a non-fulfillment earlier in the season.

Haverfordwest meanwhile were beaten 7-3 in a brutally physical game with Milford Haven. That would have taken a lot out of them and the challenge for Steve Barnett now is to lift his side mentally.

It was 46-3 when these sides met earlier in the year - it shouldn't be so one sided this time around.