Pembrokeshire rugby previews for Saturday, January 26th (2.30pm):

WRU Championship:

Narberth v Tata Steel

That was a sickener for Narberth last week. They came within minutes of a famous win over Pontypool and then the injury to Steffan Phillips was a further blow.

But a second placed finish is still on. They are currently fourth with games in hand and a win at home to Tata Steel would breach the gap on Cardiff Met in second (in Cup action).

The injury to Steffan Phillips is clearly a blow. The back rower has been among the standout performers for The Otters but they have depth in the department - with Andrew Cooke, Tom Powell, and Rich Rees the back row for this Saturday.

Lewys Gibby also comes in at No 9, and another backline change sees Crymych winger Laurence Headlam replaces Will Lewis.

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Nick Gale, Kieran Jones, Jack Price, Laurence Headlam, Jonathan Rogers, Lewys Gibby, Bradley Davies, Rhodri Owens, Tom Slater, Tom Kaijaks, Alex Jenkins (capt), Andrew Cooke, Tom Powell, Rich Rees. Replacements: Kyle Hamer, Dan Jacobs, Harry Phillips, Matthew Morgan, Yannic Parker. 

Division One West:

Kidwelly v Crymych

Crymych were back to their best to beat Yr Hendy last week and again their pack were dominant, with hooker Carwyn Rees grabbing two tries

As an added bonus was yet another promising display from a youngster as full back Rhodri George also crossed, and The Preseli Men are shaping up for a good finish.

They will be favourites for another win against struggling Kidwelly, who have won just two league games this season and were hammered 43-3 by Felinfoel on Saturday.

Williams and co won't be getting ahead of themselves, but they now lie fifth and just four points separate them and Gowerton in second. A top two finish is definitely not beyond them.

Llanelli Wanderers v Whitland

It was an impressive show of character from Whitland last week. To come back from two late defeats and blow away Gowerton 38-3 showed real resilience.

It also arguably represented their most complete all round display of the season.

Now they must build on it away to the Wanderers. The Llanelli side managed a late win in Tenby on Saturday, and the Borderers would have noted two of their tries came from well executed rolling mauls.

The only backline chance sees Adam Davies return at scrum half while Courtney Bowman, Ryan Morgan and Scott Buirds come into the pack. Dai Jones also starts in the front row, on permit from Newcastle Emlyn.

Whitland: James Stephenson, Dan Evans, Liam Price, Josh Thomas, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Dai Jones, Marc Jones, Jimmy Buirds, Raff Williams, Courtney Bowman, Ryan Morgan, Danny Evans, Scott Buirds. Replacements: Aaron Mayne, Gino Setaro, Dai Ebsworth, Jamie Thomas, Gethin Lewis.

Llangennech v Tenby United

As mentioned, the Seasiders led until the dying minutes against the Llanelli Wanderers. While relegation seems inevitable, a win would still have been a morale boost for everyone involved.

But at least they are showing more cohesion. Mortiz Neumann, Roy Osborn and skipper Luke Dedman all impressed last week and Will Crockford again dug out the boots for 80 minutes at scrum half - although he takes a well earned rest tomorrow with Dan Thomas starting.

In fact the Seasiders have certainly named a squad for the future, with four youth players involved and five in their first year if senior rugby. It will be a tough trip to third placed Llangennech no doubt, but if the visitors can build on recent improvements they can compete.

Tenby United: Shane Rossiter, Will Swales, Ben Pugh, Moritz Neumann, Joe Owen Lloyd Thomas, Dan Thomas, Ethan Morgan, Dom Booth, Rob Luly, Luke Dedman, Tom Barrass, Jack Broadhurst, Mike Davis, Roy Osborn (capt). Replacements: Huw Evans, Dan Allen, Charlie Patching, Rob Tuttle, Jack Gooding.

Divison Two West:

Fishguard v Mumbles

It was a familiar tale for Fishguard in Pontarddulais.

A poor start, a fightback, and a narrow defeat which left them lamenting a game they could have won.

They can't afford to miss any chances of a win tomorrow. Mumbles lie third bottom (three may still go down), eight points behind the Seagulls with a game in hand. Nathan Jenkins and Simon James will eye a big chance to put daylight between them and the visitors. But they will be fully aware that Mumbles sprang a surprise win in Pembroke before Christmas.

Skipper Chris Shousha returned to the Fishguard starting line up to score twice last week and his influence will be crucial again here.

Loughor v St Clears

After some improved displays St Clears took a step backwards last week in that 34-3 loss to Pontyberem - not helped by losing three players to injury.

One of them was returning centre Mike Georgiou and Tim Poole and co will want him back fit ASAP, with his physicality and experience important in a Division like this.

The Carmarthenshire Saints can take some confidence into this though given then beat the same opponents 52-27 in the WRU Plate earlier in the season.

But Loughor lie fifth and won 30-26 against Pontarddulais last time out, so the visitors will have to be at their best.

Tumble v Pembroke

The 'big red bus' is on a roll, and that 25-8 win over leaders Penclawdd last week was a serious statement.

At the start of this season gaining promotion would have been seen as an unlikely bonus for Pembroke. Now if they miss out on it, they will be hugely disappointed.

They are third but have both the top two in their sights and will be favourites for the win here at struggling Tumble.

The hosts are rock bottom with one win in 14 starts, and their scrum struggled badly in that loss to Fishguard two weeks ago. The Pembroke eight will look to turn the screw there -as they did last week with prop Lloyd Davies delivering a man of the match performance.

Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies have got their squad firing at the moment, and they'll be demanding there is no let up here.

Division Three West A:

Aberaeron v Haverfordwest

Two sides who have to pick themselves up after bruising games last week.

And both lost narrowly. Aberaeron are now relying on Milford slipping up more than once to catch them and Haverfordwest even more so given they've played more games.

At the moment it looks unlikely but we could have another tight game here. The Mid Wales team did a real job on the Blues in October as their pack got in the ascendancy and the Llewellyn brothers reveled out wide. Steve Barnett will have prepared his side to prevent similar tomorrow.

Jack Clancy did impress with two tries in that narrow Laugharne defeat but the whole pack must get parity tomorrow. Manage that and like the home side, Haverfordwest have the pace to do damage out wide.

Cardigan v Pembroke Dock Quins - postponed with Quins unable to raise a side.

Laugharne v St Davids

The jubilation of the Quins would have been in stark contrast to the disappointment of St Davids as a rare winnable game passed them by.

And they now have a daunting trip to Laugharne, against a side to put 100 points on them last season and won 69-0 at St Davids earlier in the season.

Carl Smith and co had to dig deep to win 13-10 in Haverfordwest but will no doubt try a more expansive game tomorrow, and No 10 Owain Thomas will get his backs moving every chance he gets.

Delme Bateman played well on permit for the Saints last week but he will be back with Neyland tomorrow, and Anthony Davies will know his side need to be resilient at Wooford Park.

Neyland v Llangwm

The Sutton Cup is already as good as over given Neyland won the first leg 79-3 at Pill Parks, but Llangwm do arrive with something to prove.

The All Blacks cut loose that day and had a cracking win over Cardigan two weeks ago, but given their recent injury list, would have welcomed a Saturday off last weekend.

And if they can get quick ball again tomorrow, the likes of in-form winger Henry McBeth will be waiting to pounce out wide.

So The Wasps must find a way to slow things down at the breakdown and they must also pick themselves up after that 7-7 draw with Tregaron last week. They started well and prop Ieuan Power impressed up front, but the overriding feeling was a win went begging.

Bruce Evans will know his side must front up or Neyland, as they are capable of doing, will overrun them.

Tregaron v Milford Haven

It took a massive physical effort from Milford to beat Aberaeron last week, but they did just that and now the title will be firmly in their sights.

But they can't afford complacency here, especially given they laboured to a win at the same venue last season. 

The back row of Ryan Mansell, Dewi Williams and Mark Wonnacott were outstanding last Saturday but the 80 minutes would have taken a lot out of The Mariners, and there are changes to their XV tomorrow. With Dan Jenkins injured, Steve Martin switches to centre and Craig Thomas comes onto the wing. Nathan Williams himself starts in the front row and Ben Groves replaces Mark Wonnnacott.

Tregaron winger Ieuan Rees stood out as they battled back in that draw at Llangwm last week, and they did make life difficult for Milford at The Obs in October before losing 27-10.

Where Milford are at an advantage is they don’t know have to go chasing bonus points - but they will want to avoid another dogfight.

Milford Haven: Lee Riley, Craig Thomas, Steve Martin, Dan Birch, James Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Zac France-Miller, Luke Ryan, Nathan Williams, David Round, Brandon Cooper, Ben Groves, Ryan Mansell, Dewi Williams. Replacements: Ben Jenkins, Andrew Ling, Zac Davies, Sam Dolling, Dean McSparron.