With a place at the Millennium Stadium up for grabs, all eight sides are just two games away from the final though the highlight of the weekend’s fixtures is arguably Pontypridd’s visit to Eugene Cross Park to take on Ebbw Vale.
Both teams are riding high in their respective leagues with Pontypridd a remarkable 20 points clear at the top of the Premiership while the Steelmen are nine points ahead of Bargoed in the Championship.
So with each team looking to combine cup success with a successful league campaign, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“It will be a great occasion as both teams are doing really well in their respective leagues,” said Ebbw Vale head coach Jason Strange.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us, we know Pontypridd are a top team but the match is one we are looking forward to.
“We know what their strengths are but we will just be focusing on ourselves. They are a real good club, based on good values.”
Ebbw Vale shocked another Premiership side in the last round as they were 16-11 winners over Cardiff at the Arms Park. Polu Uni was the hero that day, his late score sealing the win but Strange says his side will have to improve on that performance if they are to trouble the run-away Premiership leaders.
“We have been quite fortunate this season in that we’ve had a lot of continuity – that will be the case again on Saturday. We’re pretty settled as a squad and there won’t be many changes,” he added.
“An upset is definitely possible but we’ll have to play 30 to 40 per cent better than we did in our win over Cardiff in the last round.”
Despite not being beaten since January and facing a team in a lower division, Pontypridd head coach Dale McIntosh is not taking a win for granted.
“We are fully aware of the major challenge that Ebbw Vale will provide for us,” he said.
“They are playing exceptionally well and are comfortably the best team in the Championship this season.
“Going to Eugene Cross Park is in many ways a similar experience to coming to Sardis Road. There will be passionate support for both teams on Saturday and a great atmosphere for what will be to all intents and purposes a cup final showdown.”
McIntosh has rotated his players throughout the season, utilising the strength in depth of the club’s squad. But he concedes that for a winner takes all cup tie, the focus must be on picking the best team available although he has been hampered by injuries.
Full back Geraint Walsh is out with a shoulder strain, winger Chris Clayton with ankle damage and hookers Jack Dando and Darran Harris with thigh and neck problems respectively.
“We have made selections for our last three league games with one eye on this cup tie,” McIntosh added.
“Obviously we have injuries and players away with the Wales Sevens squad but we aim to pick our best available 23 players to face Ebbw Vale.
“We will not take our eye off the ball in the league as nothing has been won yet, but our attention now turns fully to progressing in the cup competition.
“We are geared up for what will be a crunch tie and we travel to Ebbw with the intention of coming away with a win.”
Ebbw Vale: 15 Charlie Simpson14 Wes Cunliffe 13 Polu Uhi 12 Adam Jones 11 Luke Davies 10 Josh Lewis 9 Dai Jones, 1 Ross Jones 2 Mathew Williams 3 Robert Sevenoaks 4 Damien Hudd (c) 5 Ashley Sweet 6 Gareth Williams 7 Ronny Kynes 8 Spencer Gibson.
Replacements: John Lavender, Jonny Bowen, Joe Bartlett, Rhys Clark, Cameron Regan, Chris Thomas, Dan Haymond, Dan Ajuwa.
Pontypridd: 15 Gareth Wyatt 14 Owen Williams 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Gareth James, 1 Chris Phillips 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jake Thomas 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Joel Raikes, Dai Flanagan, Gary Williams, Bradley Thyer, Tom Hetherington, Ed Siggery, Scott Roberts, Stuart Williams.
