EBBW Vale face a tough trip to defending champions Cardiff in round two of the Specsavers WRU National Cup, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Steelmen avoided a banana skin against Championship club Narberth at Eugene Cross Park when they won 39-17 last weekend.

Their reward is a tough tie at the Arms Park against the Blue and Blacks, who lifted the trophy in the capital last season by beating Merthyr. Steve Law's men enjoyed a fine 40-24 win at RGC in the first round.

Pontypool have home advantage for an all-Championship clash against Cardiff Met after knocking out another Premiership club last weekend.

Leighton Jones' promotion hopefuls beat Swansea 29-15 to add to their scalps against Llanelli, Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Cross Keys and Bridgend.

Pooler, edged out by Merthyr in the semi-finals last season, will quietly fancy their chances of making it past the students to the last eight.

Cross Keys sneaked past Glamorgan Wanderers 22-21 at Pandy Park and go on their travels to Neath, who shared their fate in being relegated from the Premiership last season.

Bedwas hammered Tata Steel with a 12-try performance last weekend but face a massive task to make it to round three after being drawn to face Merthyr at the Wern.

Ties are to be played on the weekend of November 9 with Carmarthen Quins, who overpowered Newport at Rodney Parade, aiming to avoid the same fate as Bridgend after the Ravens were upset by Beddau.

With 12 teams in the Premiership and 14 in the Championship three clubs are given byes into round three with Aberavon, Llandovery and Llanelli safely into the quarter-finals.

Round two: Beddau v Carmarthen Quins, Cardiff v Ebbw Vale, Merthyr v Bedwas, Neath v Cross Keys, Pontypool v Cardiff Met. (Bye: Aberavon, Llandovery, Llanelli)