COACH journeys to Doncaster, Bedford and Penzance may not seem like the most glamorous of prizes but both Cross Keys and Newport are desperate to earn a spot in the British and Irish Cup.

The pair clash at Pandy Park tomorrow afternoon for the right to represent Gwent in Pool Four of the cross-border competition.

Keys beat Ebbw Vale 16-13 in a tight tussle last weekend while the Black and Ambers crushed Bedwas 41-25 at Bridge Field.

Newport lost three times to the men from Pandy Park last season, including a BIC qualifier, but home head coach Greg Woods is expecting a fierce battle.

"I wasn't shocked when I heard that Newport had gone through against Bedwas because they have a very good team but I was surprised by the size of their win," he said.

"I expected that game to be tight so that shows that we need to improve massively on our performance against Ebbw Vale.

"I was pleased with how we stood up to them physically but we made far too many mistakes and you can't build anything without a lineout and when you are let down by basic skills.

"But these Gwent derbies are a tough way to start the season and you just have to win them and then work on improving your performance.

"I am sure it will be tight against Newport and we just need to make sure we are a point ahead at the final whistle to make it through to a tournament that we always take very seriously."

Newport head coach Sven Cronk admits he has some welcome selection headaches after his side's super win at Bridge Field, when Wales sevens ace Sam Cross, former Ospreys full-back Jamie Murphy and stalwart hooker Andrew Brown were among those that came off a strong bench.

"Pre-season was difficult in terms of the numbers we had available but now we have competition for places," he said. "That's showing and players have got to work hard to keep their place in the side."

The Black and Ambers were short on props at Bedwas, with Alex Jeffries their only specialist tighthead while hooker Evan Whitson was ready to be an emergency loosehead.

Props Craig Davies and James Monck are back in contention for Pandy Park and Cronk has called on his pack to produce quality ball for their dangerous backs to shine.

"It should be a hell of a game because Keys have a good recent history in knockout competitions while we are desperate to be back in the British and Irish Cup," said Cronk.

"We are confident that if we manage the breakdown, look after the ball and earn parity up front, which I am confident we will do, then we can cause them problems.

"It's another Gwent derby and we know what is coming but the important thing for us is to get good tempo on our ruck ball and be strong at the set piece."