Swalec Cup Predictions

The first round of the Swalec Cup competition kicks off this weekend with Premiership sides, Championship sides and North Wales development side RGC 1404 being pitted against each other in a bid to reach the second round.

With the weather predicted to thaw before Saturday, grounds may be more under threat from waterlogged conditions rather than frozen pitches, and with the LV Cup and Six Nations round the corner, some Premiership sides may see their resources stretched.

Newport v Bonymaen-POSTPONED

Bedwas v Llandovery - POSTPONED

Blackwood v Pontypool- POSTPONED

Bridgend Ravens v Bridgend Athletic

With bragging rights at stake, the first of the local derbies will surely bring the whole of the town out. Athletic gave Premiership side Neath a scare last year and will be looking to go one better against their local rivals.

 However, the Ravens have come along well under coach Ben Rose, though losing no fewer than 18 players to various commitments is likely to stretch their resources, but I think they should come through unscathed.

Verdict - Bridgend Ravens by 7 points.

Cardiff v Cardiff Met

The students have impressed this year in the Championship and will be hopeful of going on a similar Cup run as last year that saw them reach the quarter-finals  Cardiff also reached the quarters last year and will be eager to stay in the mix for the title.

Verdict - Cardiff by 12 points.

Ebbw Vale v Newbridge -POSTPONED

Llanelli v Pontypridd

This, on paper, is the tie of the round; both are former winners with Pontypridd on the hunt for a league and Cup double.

Llanelli will be weakened by the LV Cup and will be missing a handful of players, but the Carmarthenshire team has won the Cup on 14 occasions and have a perfect record at home so far this season.

"We've not lost at home yet this season and all you can ask for in a cup competition is home advantage,” commented head of rugby, Anthony Buchanan.

"Pontypridd are one of the favourites for the cup but if you're going to play the best sides at any time, you might as well play them early on in the competition."

Ponty will look to put the disappointment of going out of the British and Irish Cup behind them with a big performance, and will be targeting a Cup and League double after falling just short last season.

However, they too have a number of players missing through injury and other commitments, but will be determined to still be in the hunt for the draw come tea time tomorrow.

“What will carry us through into this game is our absolute desire to succeed in this competition. The Welsh Cup is always an important target for us and will see us rise to the huge challenge that an away trip to Llanelli poses. We will give it our best shot,” said team manager Richard Langmead.

Verdict - Pontypridd by 6 points

Llanharan v Beddau

The sides met back at the start of the season in the league with the Dairymen just edging it and I predict another tight contest.

Llanharan have won their last three matches on the bounce and will be high in confidence going into the clash. With the Dairyfield sure to be heavy underfoot, it will be a battle up front and I think the hosts will just clinch it.

Verdict - Llanharan by 6 points

Narberth v Carmarthen Quins

Quins travel to the Lewis Lloyd Ground looking to build on their impressive performance against Cornish Pirates last weekend, but the Premiership side will be wary of the lower leagued opposition, having gone out at the hands of Ebbw Vale last season.

"They are very strong and we know what these games are like because Ebbw Vale knocked us out last season. Going down there will be a very tough game, it'll be a big occasion for them,” cautioned Quins team manager Steff Thomas.

"We've got ambitions to do well in the cup and we'd love to have a good cup run.

“But we've got to take it one game at a time. We've got to get past Narberth first and that will be a huge challenge,” added Thomas.

Narberth will undoubtedly be up for the encounter and are the highest place West side in the Championship this season and will be gunning for an upset. However, I think the visitors will be too strong for the Otters.

Verdict - Carmarthen Quins by 15 points.

Swansea v RGC 1404

Swansea won their first match in eleven attempts at Dundee last weekend and will be looking to build some momentum when they host the Cup’s lowest ranked team RGC 1404.

The All Whites will be missing several players due to the LV Cup but would hope to have enough strength in depth against the Division One East side.

The North Wales development side have won ten out of twelve matches to see them sit second in the table, and will be hoping to cause an upset here, but I think the step up will ultimately be too big.

Verdict - Swansea by 20 points.

Whitland v Aberavon

Both of these sides are struggling in their respective leagues this season but the Borderers did produce the goods at home once this season when they defeated Ebbw Vale.

In my opinion, the Wizards should run away with this as they look to end a poor run of results.

Verdict - Aberavon by 25 points.