DALE McIntosh says the threat of Newport's dangerous backs fired Merthyr up to dominate the collisions in their WRU National Cup triumph, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Ironmen lifted the trophy for the first time after romping to a five-try, 41-7 win at Principality Stadium.

It was a one-sided final with Merthyr dominating the gain line and bossing the breakdown, avoiding a repeat of their league loss to the Black and Ambers at the Wern.

Newport also pushed the Premiership champions all the way in a thriller at Rodney Parade last November when they played some daring rugby.

It was that free-flowing style that focused Merthyr minds, according to their head coach.

"I'm chuffed to bits," said McIntosh. "We had a big focus on making the collision area ugly for them because we knew how potent their backs have been all season.

"That strategy worked and it all fell into place. There were a lot of sore bodies and the scoreline didn't really reflect the game, Newport are a very good side and they deserved to get to the final.

"I am guessing they probably wanted to show everyone in Wales that they are a better side than they showed.

"In cup rugby you are going to come out two stone heavier and two foot taller. It's about going blow for blow and sedating them.

"Eventually we wore them down, their scrum started to tire and we took our fair share of lineout. It was about nullifying their strengths and enhancing ours, which we did.

"The hard yards were done in the collision area. It was about us making a mess of things to make sure we had time to enable people to get on their feet to get their lateral spacing correct and then their line speed.

"It was quite a clinical performance on our behalf."

Merthyr now focus on getting the job done in the defence of their Premiership crown. They sit top with a point advantage and two games in hand over second-placed Carmarthen Quins.

With no play-offs this season, the Ironmen need 12 points from four fixtures – at RGC 1404 on Saturday then Bargoed, Aberavon and Ebbw Vale – to secure the title.