Merthyr have won six titles in the past five seasons, moving from Division 1 East winners in 2014 to back-to-back Principality Premiership champions in the past two years. They won the WRU National Plate in 2014 and the National Cup last season.
Reacting to the announcement of the draw for the first round of the WRU National Cup, which will be played on Saturday, 5 January, 2019, the former Pontypridd and Wales No 8 said all the eyes of the coaches and players at the club will be on the main prizes once again come September.
“It’s going to be tough again this season, but we are very keen to defend our cup. If we bring our ‘A’ game in each round, then we have a decent chance of doing that,” said McIntosh, who will have to take his side to the Talbot Athletic Ground in round one.
“Aberavon away is going to be a very tough fixture, one of the toughest we could have had. They are a big club and one of the sides who could potentially make a big impression in the competition this season.
“We don’t seem to have many home draws in the cup and we know how much of an advantage it is to play in front of your home fans. Going away from home in a game like that is not a nice experience.
“But if you want to win the cup you’ve got to be able to go away to a side like Aberavon and win. We need to front up and get a result.”
Last season’s runners-up, Newport, will host the 2017 champions, RGC 1404, while two time winners Llandovery (2007, 2016) host Championship side Beddau. Pontypool, who won the Championship title for the second season in a row without losing a game in 2017/18, will be licking their lips at the prospect of hosting Neath.
In the past two seasons, Pooler have beaten Carmarthen Quins, Llanelli and Cardiff in the cup and were only put out of last season’s tournament by the eventual champions, Merthyr, 21-6 at The Wern.
WRU National Cup – 1st Round 5th January, 2019
Aberavon v Merthyr
Bedlinog v Pontypridd
Carmarthen v Ebbw Vale
Llandovery v Beddau
Newcastle Emlyn v Bargoed
Newport v RGC1404
Pontypool v Neath
Rhydyfelin v Bedwas
Swansea v Narberth
Tata Steel v Cardiff
Trebanos v Maesteg Quins
Ystrad Rhondda v Llanelli
Byes: Cardiff Met, Newbridge, Bridgend, Cross Keys
Brynmawr won’t have far to travel to kick-off the defence of their WRU National Plate title next month when they head to Blackwood in Round 1 on Saturday, 29 September.
The Division 1 East champions ran out convincing victors’ over Nant Conwy in the final at the Principality Stadium last season, with wing Josh Congreve scoring a hat-trick in the 50-29 triumph.
Divison 1 North champions Nant Conwy also have to travel in Round 1. They have been drawn away at Bro Ffestiniog.
WRU PLATE – ROUND 1
Matches to be played the weekend of 29 September, 2018
Abertillery BG v Ynysddu
Bala v Mold
Barry v Llanharan
Blackwood v Brynmawr
Bonymaen v Porthcawl
Bridgend Athletic v Morriston
Bro Ffestiniog v Nant Conwy
Burry Port v Pontarddulais
Caerleon v Ynysybwl
Caerphilly v Nelson
Caldicot v Croesyceiliog
Cambrian Welfare v Gilfach Goch
Carmarthen Ath v Tenby Utd
Cilfynydd v Abercwmboi
Cwmbran v Dowlais
Glamorgan Wands v Llantwit Fardre
Glynneath v Nantymoel
Gorseinon v Whitland
Gowerton v Crymych
Heol y Cyw v Aberdare
Kidwelly v Fishguard & Goodwick
Llanelli Wands v Tycroes
Llangefni v Caernarfon
Llangennech v Dunvant
Maesteg Celtic v Aberavon Quins
Monmouth v Senghenydd
Mumbles v Tumble
Newport HSOB v Talywain
Pembroke v Aberystwyth
Penallta v Abercarn
Pencoed v Cwmavon
Penclawdd v Felinfoel
Pill Harriers v Hartridge
Pontypool Utd v Brecon
Porth Quins v Llanishen
Pwllheli v Bethesda
Resolven v Kenfig Hill
Rhiwbina v Builth Wells
Risca v Blaenavon
Rumney v Abercynon
Ruthin v Llandudno
Seven Sisters v Maesteg
St Clear’s v Loughor
St Joseph’s v Dinas Powys
St Peter’s v Mountain Ash
Taffs Well v Cardiff Quins
Taibach v Brynamman
Tondu v Skewen
Treorchy v Llantrisant
Waunarlwydd v Birchgrove
Ystalyfera v Nantyffyllon
Ystradgynlais v Ammanford
Bye: Denbigh
National Bowl: ROUND 1
To be played the weekend of 15th September 2018
Penybanc v Banwen
Penlan v Llandybie
Baglan v Cwmllynfell
Amman Utd V Cwmtwrch
Swansea Uplands V Llandeilo
Cwmgors v Ammanford IIs
Betws v Crynant
Abercrave V Glais
Fall Bay v South Gower
Bryncethin V Rhigos
Glyncorrwg v Bryncoch
Bridgend Sports v Bridgend Ath IIs
Aberavon Green Stars v Tonna
Briton Ferry v Ogmore Vale
Pontyclun v Alltwen
Cwmgwrach v Pontycymer
Brackla v Neath Ath
Tonmawr v Pyle
Pontrhydyfen v Cefn Cribbwr
Tylorstown v Cardiff Medicals
Cardiff Met IIs v Hirwaun
Cardiff University v Rhiwbina IIs
Penygraig v Wattstown
Old Penarthians v Treherbert
Penarth v Llantwit Major
Ferndale v Tonyrefail
Canton v Cowbridge
Llandrindod Wells v Fairwater
Pentyrch v Old Illtydians
Treharris v Llanrumney
Fleur De Lys v Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Cardiff Saracens v Risca IIs
Machen v Cardiff Internationals
St Albans v Penallta IIs
Glyncoch v Llandaff North
Whitchurch v Caerau Ely
Sully View v UWSE
Cefn Coed v Ynysowen
Oakdale v Llandaff
Crumlin v RTB Ebbw Vale
Caerleon IIs v New Tredegar
Abertysswg v Aberbargoed
Blaina v Deri
Pontllanfraith v Bargoed IIs
Trinant v Cwmcarn Utd
Markham v Rogerstone
Tref y Clawdd v Garndiffaith
Blackwood Stars v Old Tyleryan
Newport Saracens v Rhymney
Wrexham v Rhosllanerchrugog
Bangor v Mold IIs
COBRA v Welshpool
Rhyl & District v Shotton Steel
Menai Bridge v Holyhead
Denbigh IIs v Benllech
Abergele v Flint
Dolgellau v Llanidloes
Llangollen v Nant Conwy IIs
Colwyn Bay v Machynlleth
Haverfordwest v Pantyffynnon
Nantgaredig v St Davids
Neyland v Ferryside
Lampeter Town v Pembroke Dock Quins
Trimsaran v Crymych IIs
Pontyates V Llangadog
Aberaeron v Milford Haven
Penygroes v Laugharne
New Dock Stars v Llangwm
Tregaron V Cefneithin
Cardigan V Bynea
Abergavenny V Malpas
Talywain IIs v Brynithel
Forgeside V Usk
Girling v Nantyglo
Gwernyfed v Beaufort
Bettws (Newport) V Trefil
Llanhilleth V West Mon
Chepstow V Hollybush
New Panteg v St Julians HSOB
Tredegar v Crickhowell
Abersychan V Tredegar Ironsides
Hafodyrynys V St Josephs
Bye: Pwllheli IIs, Llanybydder
