Runaway Championship leaders Pontypool will get the chance to avenge their 2017 WRU National Cup defeat at Pandy Park when they travel to Cross Keys for this season’s second round on the weekend of January 26.
The 1983 Cup winners were given a walk-over in the first round last weekend by Neath, but will now get the chance to test themselves against Premiership opposition when they meet Keys in an all-Gwent derby.
When they met two seasons ago it was the home side who came out on top 19-3 in a mud bath.
Pooler had won at Llanelli and Cardiff in the opening two rounds that season and then added the scalp of Carmarthen Athletic to their Premiership collection last season.
While Keys, who had a bye in the first round, are struggling in the Premiership, they were quarter-finalists in the Cup last year, semi-finalists for three seasons before that and finalists in 2014. They won the Cup for the one and only time in 2012.
Reigning champions Merthyr will host Ebbw Vale at The Wern in a re-run of last season’s semi-final, which they won 10-6.
The 2017 champions, RGC 1404, will entertain Cardiff in a game that will give them the chance to avenge their 25-19 defeat at the Arms Park in the Premiership in early November.
Championship clubs Cardiff Met and Newbridge will get the chance to host Premiership sides, while Trebanos will have a big day out at Llandovery, who crushed another Championship outfit, Beddau, by 104-0 in the first round last weekend.
Cardiff Met will entertain Bedwas, while Newbridge welcome Bridgend.
In the other fixtures, Swansea host Bargoed and there is a repeat of the finals of 2005 and 2002 with Pontypridd hosting Llanelli.
WRU National Cup – Round 2
Matches to be played on weekend of 26 January
Cardiff Met v Bedwas
Cross Keys v Pontypool
Llandovery v Trebanos
Merthyr v Ebbw Vale
Newbridge v Bridgend
Pontypridd v Llanelli
RGC1404 v Cardiff
Swansea v Bargoed
