EBBW Vale have been dealt an injury hammer blow on the eve of their Premiership Cup derby with Newport after captain Joe Franchi was ruled out until next year.

The hooker tore a bicep in the second half of last weekend's 17-13 loss to RGC in Colwyn Bay and has had an operation.

The skipper is set to be sidelined for around four months, ruling him out of the Premiership Cup group fixtures and the start of the league campaign.

The loss of Franchi will lead to more responsibility at the heart of the front row for Dragons academy prospect and Wales Under-20s squad member Connor Chapman.

"It's never great to lose your captain but this is a big opportunity for Connor, who has started the season really well as understudy," said head coach Greg Woods.

"Joe has been excellent for us but Connor has to put his own stamp on it, he can get lots of minutes and really put himself forward.

"This is a perfect chance for him to show what he can do while boys like Lewis Young and Dom Franchi have to step up from a leadership point of view."

It is the first Premiership derby since Newport's 20-3 win over the Steelmen at Rodney Parade on January 31, 2020.

The Black and Ambers are hunting a fourth successive victory at Eugene Cross Park and make the short journey in good spirits after wins against Cardiff, RGC and Merthyr.

"They are flying high while we are hurting after being really disappointed at RGC," said Woods, with the knife twisted by young Dragons duo Brodie Coghlan and Evan Lloyd helping the north Walians to victory.

"We didn't convert pressure and territory into points and had five clear opportunities that we didn't take.

"There will be some good young regional talent on show while others are playing for contracts.

"It's a different game nowadays but the fundamentals of intensity, physicality and desire to win will all be there because it's a Gwent derby with bragging rights at stake."

The top four in the east group will all progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, playing a western rival decided by seedings. The teams in the top two will enjoy home advantage in the last eight.

Newport have made a superb start to the campaign despite losing their opener at Pontypridd and having a lengthy list of absentees.

They will be keen to start more sharply at Eugene Cross Park after beating both RGC and Merthyr with second-half comebacks.

The Black and Ambers beat the Ironmen in their first game at Spytty Park with centre Dafydd Smith coming off the bench.

The Wales sevens international, who can also play on the wing, has signed a deal with Newport.

- Bargoed entertain Maesteg Quins in the Championship Cup after thrashing Ystrad Rhondda 54-25 last weekend.

Bedwas will bid to go three from three in the Championship Plate when they head to Trebanos, who they beat 31-0 in a Bridge Field friendly in August.

Cross Keys, who secured a hard-fought win at Beddau last time out, have a bye week.

Premiership Cup East fixtures: Ebbw v Newport, Merthyr v Cardiff, Pontypridd v RGC

Championship Cup: Bargoed v Maesteg Quins, Glamorgan W v Narberth, Ystrad Rhondda v Neath.

Championship Plate: Tata Steel v Beddau, Trebanos v Bedwas, Ystalyfera v Cardiff Met.