PONTYPOOL will aim for another Principality Premiership scalp in the WRU National Cup later this month after the last 16 draw saw them handed a home tie against Carmarthen Quins.

Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale, who knocked out holders RGC 1404 in the first round, are away to Bridgend, Cross Keys welcome Bedlinog to Pandy Park and Newport entertain Aberavon.

Bedwas face a tricky encounter at Beddau, Bargoed host Rhydyfelin, Merthyr take on Cardiff and there is a West Wales derby between Llandovery and Llanelli.

The eight fixtures will be played on the weekend of January 27-28.

Runaway Championship leaders Pooler scored eight tries as they cruised past Tata Steel in round one on Saturday, while twice runners-up Carmarthen received a bye.

Entry to the Pontypool Park showdown will be free for all supporters, something that had been planned for last season’s competition but Pooler were drawn away in all three rounds they played in.

“Delighted to have drawn a home tie in the WRU National Cup so we can finally honour our promise from last season of offering free entry to all supporters,” tweeted Pontypool CEO Ben Jeffreys.

“I hope the Pooler Army take advantage of this gesture and turn out in force to get behind the team.”

And the eagerly-anticipated battle with the 2010 and 2016 losing finalists gives Leighton Jones’ men the opportunity to continue their giant-killing exploits of 2016-17.

If beating cup kings Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets in the first round wasn’t enough, Pooler then went to the Arms Park and dumped Cardiff out of the competition.

Sadly for head coach Jones and his charges they couldn’t make it three in a row away to Gwent rivals Cross Keys in the quarter-finals.

Tries from Darren Hughes and Nathan Trowbridge helped Keys win 19-3, although their hopes of capturing the trophy were ended by Pontypridd in the semis.

As for Keys, now led by Morgan Stoddart after he took over from the departing Greg Woods as head coach, they should be too strong for mid-table Championship outfit Bedlinog.

While the Foxes also had a bye in round one, Keys, in Woods’ final match in charge, claimed a superb victory over perennial cup foes Pontypridd.

Woods is now settling into life as Ebbw chief and his first game in charge will be the Steelmen’s trip to the Brewery Field.

With Ceri Jones and Jason Strange helping out, Ebbw’s form has been turned upside down, with back-to-back league triumphs followed by that RGC success.

Newport’s opponents Aberavon smashed Skewen 71-3 last Saturday but will face a much tougher task when they go up against the Black and Ambers.

While in Beddau, Bedwas face a side who pushed Ebbw all the way in the cup last season before succumbing 7-3.

National Cup round two draw in full: Bargoed v Rhydyfelin, Cross Keys v Bedlinog, Newport v Aberavon, Bridgend v Ebbw Vale, Cardiff v Merthyr, Pontypool v Carmarthen Quins, Llandovery v Llanelli, Beddau v Bedwas (ties to be played on weekend of January 27-28).