THE Gwent teams are all on their travels in round two of the Swalec Cup with Cross Keys looking for a reaction to a rare off day at holders Bridgend.

The men from Pandy Park suffered their first Principality Premiership defeat since September when downed 48-22 by Llanelli out west last weekend.

They have the chance to get back on the horse against a Ravens team who stunned Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium last year and safely negotiated a rearranged round one encounter at Beddau 20-13 in midweek.

"It's been a bit different this week because we didn't know until Wednesday who we would be playing, but that has suited us," said Keys head coach Greg Woods, whose team had a bye in round one.

"It has meant that we have just concentrated on ourselves because it was a really bad day for us in Llanelli. It was very unusual with a lot of our consistent performers not turning up.

"But there is no panic, we will stay tight and we know that we are a good side. We always target the cup and it would be nice to have another run."

Ebbw Vale are also on their travels and are looking to take their strong league form into their encounter with Newcastle Emlyn.

It will be a shock if the Steelmen come a cropper against a side sitting 10th in the Championship but captain Damien Hudd is not taking their hosts lightly.

"We know better than most that Championship sides can turn over Premiership sides after our cup runs recently when we beat Carmarthen Quins, Swansea, Newport," said the lock.

"We have to be mentally up for it because this is a big day for them and they will come flying out at us. We have to be on our game and we aren't taking anything for granted."

Bedwas made it past Pontypool to earn an away tie at Carmarthen Quins, who they beat 28-24 out west on the opening day of the Premiership season.

The men from Bridge Field have had a good few weeks with the hard-fought win against Pooler followed by comprehensive home successes against Newport in both the league and Foster's Challenge Cup.

"We are in a good place but we know we face a big test in Carmarthen – it's always a very difficult place to go," said head coach Steve Law.

"They are well coached and have some good personnel but if we play to our potential then we have attributes that can cause them problems. If the players deliver a high standard then we can make it through."

Newbridge will have their work cut out when they travel to Church Bank to take on a Llandovery side who are unbeaten on home soil this season.

Neil Edwards' side made a promising start to the campaign in the Championship but are looking over their shoulders at the bottom two after going two months without victory. A solid showing at the Drovers would give them a lift for the run-in.

Swalec Cup, round two fixtures: Bridgend v Cross Keys, Carmarthen Quins v Bedwas, Llandovery v Newbridge, Llanelli v Merthyr, Neath v Cardiff Met, Newcastle Emlyn v Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd v Bridgend Athletic, RGC 1404 v Aberavon