PONTYPOOL head to the Wern tonight aiming to claim the biggest scalp of Welsh club rugby to move within a victory of the WRU National Cup final at Principality Stadium, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 'Beast from the East' ruined the scheduled quarter-final weekend, meaning Tuesday night dates at the Wern and Bridge Field (kick-offs 7.15pm)

Pooler are a win away from retaining their Championship crown and they have also been in fine form in knockout rugby, enjoying a crushing win against Tata Steel then upsetting Carmarthen Quins.

That has earned a crack at Premiership champions Merthyr, whose recent league performances should give Leighton Jones' side belief. The Ironmen lost to Newport at the Wern a fortnight ago and needed a late winner to sneak a 44-43 home win against struggling Llanelli on Saturday.

Nonetheless, their power will ensure they start at hot favourites on a cold night in Merthyr and Pooler will need to be at their best to add to their recent Premiership scalps of Llanelli, Cardiff and the Quins.

The tie at Bedwas is a tough one to call with the hosts entertaining Newport, who have been in fine form in 2018.

The Black and Ambers haven't enjoyed a good cup run for years and will be keen to get a disappointing display in defeat at Bridgend out of their system.

Bedwas won the Foster's Challenge Cup last season and will hope home advantage will aid their bid for more silverware.

Ian Gardner's men won comfortably 29-7 when the teams met at Bridge Field at the start of the season but the last clash between the sides suggests it will be a nip and tuck encounter; Newport edged to a 28-25 triumph at Rodney Parade in November thanks to a last-gasp Matt O'Brien kick.

Tomorrow Cross Keys entertain Llandovery while Ebbw Vale head to Bargoed. The draw for the semi-finals, which are played at neutral grounds, is on Thursday.