PONTYPOOL forget about their promotion push for a weekend while aiming to go on another Specsavers WRU National Cup run.

Pooler, edged out by Merthyr in the semi-finals last season, got their Championship title defence off to a strong start by beating Beddau 47-12 last weekend.

Their priority is securing top spot for a fourth successive time, and with it automatic promotion to the Premiership, but Pontypool boast a deep enough squad to also enjoy more knockout success.

In recent years they have beaten Llanelli, Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Cross Keys and Bridgend and this afternoon it is Swansea that visit Pontypool Park.

The Whites started their campaign with a bang by hammering Llanelli and are sure to test Pooler both up front and out wide.

Head coach Leighton Jones hands a full debut to experienced fly-half Richard Powell.

Ebbw Vale aim to avoid an upset when they entertain Narberth.

The Steelmen suffered a disappointing opening weekend derby loss to Newport, although a late rally did earn a consolation bonus.

Dai Langdon captains the side from midfield while Dragons academy speedster Ewan Rosser follows in the footsteps of older brother Jared by starting on the wing.

Cross Keys boss Morgan Stoddart gives his players a shot at redemption after their disappointing 41-9 defeat at Bedwas in the Championship.

They host Glamorgan Wanderers with just one change to the XV – captain Tom Lampard moving to lock to replace Scott Andrews, who was on permit from Cardiff, with Max George coming in.

Bedwas head to Port Talbot to face Tata Steel buoyed by their opening weekend win against Keys.

Head coach Stef Sankala takes the opportunity to tinker with his XV with Dale Rogers captaining the side from number eight with club skipper Jonathan Armitage among the replacements.

Bargoed head to the Talbot Athletic Ground aiming to upset Aberavon.

Pontypool (v Swansea): G Walsh, L Lewis, P Lewis, A Nove, M Jones, R Powell, A Quick, S Cochrane, D Hughes, C Price, C Gregory, R Clarke, S Matthews (captain), A Stratton, I Jones. Replacements: S Evans, A Coundley, L Ball, M Luckwell, K Meek, R Nash, B Sparks, C Gullis.

Ebbw Vale (v Narberth): D Haymond, P King, D Franchi, D Langdon (captain), E Rosser, E Phillips, S Ireland, R Jones, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, D Hill, L Randall, C Fillier, D Rubasniak, C Regan. Replacements: M Blake, L Garrett, M Davies, J Franchi, H Harding, D Jones, M Flanagan, D Thomas.

Cross Keys (v Glamorgan Wanderers): L O’Brien, J Adams, A Tetley, C Nichols, W Cunliffe, K Hill, A Bidgood, R Cornock, C Vaughan, J Rogers, H Reader, T Lampard (captain), M George, J Thomas, S Rogers. Replacements: O Peddle, S Hoskins, R Young, C Hague, C Johnsey, J Wall, R Jenkins, AN Other.

Bedwas (at Tata Steel): J Hallett, L Jenkins, A Jones, M Williams, J Rees, D McIntosh, M Bancroft, J Tucker, J Dunleavy, O Ford, M Bovington, G Allen, A Thau, O Jones, D Rogers (captain). Replacements: M Dacey, D Scott, R Hutcherson, R Morgans, J Armitage, O Keane, C Rowlands, B Williams.

Fixtures: Aberavon v Bargoed, Beddau v Bridgend, Cardiff Met v Ystrad Rhondda, Cross Keys v Glamorgan Wanderers, Ebbw Vale v Narberth, Llandovery v Ystalyfera, Maesteg Quins v Llanelli, Merthyr v Pontypridd (Saturday, 5.15pm), Neath v Trebanos, Pontypool v Swansea, RGC v Cardiff, Tata Steel v Bedwas.

l Cross Keys Past Players Association are meeting before the game against Glamorgan Wanderers at 12.30pm with the gathering also being their AGM.