Llanelli entertain Cardiff and Pontypridd travel to Swansea this evening as all four sides look to find some form in their latest Welsh Premiership clashes.

The All Whites have been subjected to much criticism so far this term and the likes of Wales captain Colin Charvis and Darren Morris will be looking to shine.

Pontypridd, who are languishing just one place off the bottom, are awaiting late fitness tests on forwards Brent Cock-bain and Geraint Lewis needing late fitness tests while Emyr Lewis continues to recover from a rib injury.

Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells warned, "The press will have got Swansea's back up with recent comments and I expect a reaction from them.

"Their players will know that the one place they have to do their talking is out there on the pitch.

"It is worrying for us because I am sure they will be out to show that they are not that bad a side - and I do expect a backlash from them."

Swansea hope to return to winning ways after losing their three opening matches of 2003, against Llanelli, Montferrand and Cardiff - the last two defeats coming at St Helen's.

Meanwhile at Stradey Park rivals for the Wales No.9 shirt Dwayne Peel and Ryan Powell will square up for Llanelli and Cardiff respectively.

The two scrum-halves may have been named, along with Bath's Gareth Cooper, in the Welsh squad for the championship opener against Italy on Saturday week, but they will have nothing other than domestic issues on their minds when the Scarlets entertain the Blue and Blacks.

Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins has chosen all nine of his Welsh squad members for the clash with Cardiff and intends to use as many as possible against Pontypool in their Principality Cup seventh round tie on Saturday.

"It is our intention to pick two very strong teams for the games against Cardiff and Pontypool," said Jenkins. "We want to give the Principality Cup the respect it deserves and maintain our proud cup tradition. Hopefully the Welsh boys can help us secure two victories before they go."

After losing so badly at Bridgend in their last Premiership outing Jenkins insists his side need to get back on the winning trail against Cardiff.

"This is a big game in the Welsh rugby calendar and we have competed in some great matches together," he told the Western Mail. "The one match in the cup two years ago still haunts me.

"If Cardiff can get 50 per cent of the ball through their forwards then they have backs capable of scoring tries at will. They are a young side and they will show us no respect.

"They will come with a nothing-to-lose attitude and that makes them very dangerous. They will be playing in front of the Stradey Park faithful and it will be a game full of atmosphere."

Cardiff, beaten by the weather last Friday when their home game with Bridgend was postponed because of a frozen surface, have six starters in Hansen's Welsh squad.

Powell is joined by fellow backs Rhys Williams, Jamie Robinson, Craig Morgan, Iestyn Harris and flanker Martyn Williams.

 
Team P W D L F A T P  
Bridgend 5 5 0 0 103 35 10 15  
Newport 6 4 0 2 161 84 15 12  
Neath 5 3 0 2 136 113 15 9  
Ebbw Vale 8 3 0 5 111 166 9 9  
Llanelli 4 2 0 2 81 75 10 6  
Cardiff 4 2 0 2 79 68 9 6  
Swansea 6 2 0 4 107 142 8 6  
Pontypridd 4 2 0 2 67 72 6 6  
Caerphilly 4 0 0 4 55 145 6 0