In the West, three of the top four – Llangennech, Narberth and Dunvant – are also still in the running for a big day out at the Principality Stadium on finals day.
West Division leaders Brecon could also make the top eight if they can beat Bonymaen in their re-arranged Round 2 fixture. The other team making up the final eight is Bedwas, who are currently 10th in the East Division.
All four ties are hard to call, with Cardiff Mett needing to repeat their earlier heroics in the league by winning at Ystrad Rhondda if they want to head to stay on the ‘Road to Principality 2024’. They became the first team to beat Ystrad, who were beaten finalists in last year’s final, this season when they triumphed 39-32 at Gelligaled Park on 14 October.
Bargoed, who are five points behind Ystrad in second place with a game in hand, will have home advantage over last season’s Division 1 West champions Llangennech in one of three ‘cross border’ clashes. Llangennech are level on points at the top of the West table with Brecon, but have played one game more.
Their only defeat this season was a 37-29 home reverse to Brecon, while Bargoed’s only defeat came at Ystrad, 28-17. Narberth have already beaten their visitors, Dunvant, at home this season, while Bedwas will have home advantage over whoever wins between Bonymaen and Brecon.
WRU CHAMPIONSHIP CUP – Quarter Finals
20 January 2024
Bargoed v Llangennech
Bedwas v Bonymaen / Brecon
Narberth v Dunvant
Ystrad Rhondda v Cardiff Met
Round 2 – TBC
Bonymaen v Brecon
Unbeaten Brynmawr, who top Division 1 East will head to Mountain Ash in Round 3 of the WRU Division 1 Cup. They are one of four teams from their division still involved in the last 16, along with Senghenydd, Nelson and Abergavenny.
Like their visitors, Mountain Ash are also unbeaten in their league, Division 1 East Central, and are joined by Porth Quns, the current leaders, Cambrian Welfare and possibly Rhydyfelin, who still have to play their second round tie against Gowerton.
Former north Wales champions Llandudno are the only team definitely through from the North. Nant Conwy reached last year’s final, but were knocked our at Mountain Ash in the last round, 20-18. COBRA could also make it if they can beat Birchgrove in their re-arranged second round game.
Tondu, Glynneath, Skewen and Builth Wells are representing Division 1 West Central, with unbeaten Tondu drawn at home to face the team just below them in the league table, Glynneath. When they last met in the league in September, Tondu ran out victors 22-19.
Llanelli Wanderers are unbeaten at the top of the Division 1 West table and are due to welcome Aberystwyth – a team they have already beaten 36-5 on the road. Third placed Skewen will travel to meet the winners of the delayed tie between Gowerton and Rhydyfelin, while Builth Wells host Dowlais.
WRU DIVISION 1 CUP – Round 3
2 December 2023
Birchgrove / COBRA v Porth Harlequins
Builth Wells v Dowlais
Cambrian Welfare v Llandudno
Gowerton / Rhydyfelin v Skewen
Llanelli Wanderers v Aberystwyth
Mountain Ash v Brynmawr
Senghenydd v Nelson
Tondu v Glynneath
Round 2 – 11 November 2023
Birchgrove v COBRA
Gowerton v Rhydyfelin
Abertillery BG are still on course for another trip to Principality Stadium after winning last season’s Division 3 Cup title. They also won the Division 3 East crown and are currently perched proudly on top of the Division 2 table with an unbeaten record after five matches.
They will host the winners of the delayed match between Tycroes and Heol y Cyw, while it will be East v West at the Dairy Field when unbeaten Llanharan, second in the Division 2 East Central behind Penarth with a game in hand, entertain Amman United, who have yet to win a league game in Division 2 West.
Llanharan were crowned WRU National Bowl champions at Principality Stadium in 2022 while Amman United won the title in 2017 with Shane Williams in their side.
The top five teams in Division 2 West Central are all still in the running. League leaders Aberavon Quins welcome Cwmbran, Heol y Cyw hope to be heading to Abertillery BG, Aberavon Green Stars face a tough test at Newport HSOB, who are second in Division 2 East, while Porthcawl will have home advantage over Loughor.
Fifth placed Swansea Uplands still have to face Llantrisant ahead of a potential Round 3 clash at home with Tenby United.
WRU DIVISION 2 CUP – Round 3
2 December 2023
Aberavon Quins v Cwmbran
Abertillery BG v Tycroes / Heol y Cyw
Caerphilly v Caldicot
Llanharan v Amman United
Newport HSOB v Aberavon Green Stars
Penarth v Llantwit Fardre
Porthcawl v Loughor
Swansea Uplands / Llantrisant v Tenby United
Round 2 – 11 November 2023
Swansea Uplands v Llantrisant
Tycroes v Heol y Cyw
Bryncethin pulled off the league and cup double in the fourth tier level last season and are now setting their sights on a ‘double double’ as they seek to add the WRU Division 4 Cup and Division 4 West Central title to their collection.
Both they and Abercrave are unbeaten at the top of Division 4 West Central. Bryncethin head to Cardiff to face Canton, while Abercrave will host Pembroke.
Baglan’s home clash with Neath Athletic will be an all-West Central clash. When the two teams met in the league in September it was Neath Athletic who triumphed at home, 45-23.
Division 3 East Central leaders Penygraig, who have won seven out of seven in the league, will welcome Cefneithin, who are mid-table in Division West 3B.
WRU DIVISION 3 CUP – Round 3
2 December 2023
Abercrave v Pembroke
Abertysswg v Laugharne
Baglan v Neath Athletic
Blaina v Welshpool
Canton v Bryncethin
Cardiff Quins v Betws
Colwyn Bay v Tumble
CRC Caerdydd v Treherbert
Fairwater v Pembroke Dock Quins
Nant Conwy II v Llandeilo
Nantyglo v Cardigan
Nantymoel v Cwmgors
Penygraig v Cefneithin
Rhymney v Llandybie
Shotton Steel v New Dock Stars
Wattstown v Cwmafan
Tonna, who won the WRU Plate at Principality Stadium in 2022, will host Tonyrefail in the WRU Division 4 Cup quarter-finals as they attempt to plot a return to the Welsh capital.
Unbeaten Newport Saracens will have home advantage over Maesteg, who are also unbeaten in their four games to date in Division 4 West Central
WRU DIVISION 4 CUP – Quarter Finals
20 January 2024
New Panteg v Gwernyfed
Newport Saracens v Maesteg
Tonna v Tonyrefail
Ynysowen v Llantwit Major
Five clubs from north Wales are still in the running for a quarter-final spot, and all four have home draws in the last 16.
Caernarvon 2ndXV host Cwmtwrch, Dinbych 2ndXV welcome Deri, Dinbych 2ndXV entertain Hartridge and Ruthin 2ndXV will meet Pantyffynnon. Bethesda 2ndXV head south to meet Dinas Powys.
WRU DIVISION 3 CUP – Round 3
2 December 2023
Caernarfon II v Cwmtwrch
Cardiff Saracens v Penybanc
Dinas Powys v Bethesda II
Dinbych II v Deri
Magor v Seven Sisters
Pwllheli II v Hartridge
Rhigos v Penlan / Pontllanfraith
Ruthin II v Pantyffynnon
Round 2 – 11 November 2023
Penlan v Pontllanfraith
