Tovey At 10 For Cross Keys

Any illusions about how seriously Cross Keys are taking the British & Irish Cup final tomorrow night can be dismissed by the presence at out-half in the Welsh side of Newport Gwent Dragons pivot Jason Tovey.

Tovey may not be in the Cross Keys squad listed on their official website and his debut for them this season has obviously been delayed by his involvement with the Dragons – he's played in 16 of the Dragons 21 RaboDirect PRO12 and 5 of their 6 Amlin Challenge Cup games – but it comes at a most opportune time and clearly sets out the Welsh stall.

22 year old Tovey, who played with Newport RFC and is set to leave Dragons for Cardiff Blues, will be familiar with Musgrave Park having played there with the Dragons in the September RaboDirect PRO12 match. He missed the return game at Rodney Parade on March 3rd but not because Cross Keys were playing Llandovery the same afternoon.

Tovey comes in after Steffan Jones broke his ankle in the semi v Pirates and Dean Gunter is cup-tie after playing with Pontypridd.

It's been billed as the most important game in the Welsh club's history and rumour has it that Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley was in their Pandy Park home last night to give the Gwent side a pep talk.

Cross Keys: G David; K Baller, L Andrews, P Williams, N Trowbridge; J Tovey, R Dyer; R Cornock, G Price, M Jones; D Hodge, T Lampard; R Peebles, R Nash capt, J Groves. Replacements: L Eawlins, J Sollis, C Gould, C Traynern, M Popham, L williams, O Jones.

Referee: James Matthews (SRU).