The Drovers will have an anxious wait this week before they know if skipper Jack Jones will be fit to return for Saturday’s Welsh Cup semi final against Ebbw Vale at Aberavon writes Huw S Thomas
As well as his replacements in the second row have played in his absence, the return of Jones to the fray will be a huge boost to his teammates.
His energy and drive in tight and loose is a key factor in games that are invariably tight against the no nonsense Gwent packs and Saturday’s battle against the Steelmen promises to serve up a ferocious forward battle.
The captain missed the wins over Swansea and Neath after coming off with a calf injury against Cardiff and will be an automatic choice for one of the second row spots.
Whoever coach Euros Evans picks to partner the hopefully fit Jones will be up to the task of facing the most aggressive and well drilled pack in the Premiership, under hooker Joe Franchi, nursed by hugely experienced scrum half Jonathan Evans
Coach Evans has an embarrassment of riches to choose from – Joe Powell, Chris Long, Ed Scragg and Morgan Jones have all put in big shifts when called upon but Crymych product Powell is more likely to feature at No 8.
Osian Davies and Stuart Worrall are set to flank Powell in a well balanced and hard tackling back row.
Competition for a front row start will be intense, given the quality and form of all six contenders but Jamies Hughes, Taylor Davies and Llyr Green might just get the nod over Dino Dallavalle, Craig Thomas and Berian Watkins.
Jack Maynard’s goal kicking form should see him claim the full back spot and the rest of the back division virtually picks itself.
Half backs Lee Rees and Ioan Hughes have formed a top quality partnership whilst Harri Doel, Rhodri Jones, Adam Warren and Aaron Warren must be considered the best three quarter line the club has ever fielded.
The bench will play a crucial role in proceedings as they have all season with late contributions from the likes of No 8 Nathan Hart and flanker Jordan Evans having given the Drovers new momentum in tight games.
Probable Llandovery starting XV: J Maynard; H Doel, Adam Warren, R Jones, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees; J Hughes, T Davies, L Green/B Watkins, J Jones (capt), M Jones/C Long, O Davies, J Powell. S Worrall