PONTYPOOL have nothing to lose, everything to gain when they host Bedwas in round one of the Swalec Cup this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Promotion to the Principality Premiership from the Championship is Pooler's main aim this season and they are going pretty strongly in the league.

If they can beat Bedwas this afternoon then it will give the squad a lift and show they are capable of holding their own in the top flight, if they lose then they can concentrate fully on securing one of the top four places with a big home encounter with Merthyr looming next weekend.

There is more riding on today's game for the visitors given that Steve Law's side are eighth in the Premiership and highly unlikely to push for the playoffs.

It has been a tough season for Bedwas in terms of player availability but they have proved they are capable of beating anyone on their day by turning over champions Pontypridd and in-form Aberavon.

Knockout rugby will be important for the men from Bridge Field as they are in a strong position in the Gwent group of the Foster's Challenge Cup and will be looking to better last season's Swalec run that ended in a narrow quarter-final defeat at Cross Keys.

The teams met in the cup last year when Bedwas romped to a seven-try, 46-10 home win. It promises to be tighter this afternoon.

Newport and Carmarthen Quins also meet in the cup for the second successive season when they lock horns at Rodney Parade tomorrow.

The Black and Ambers are having a terrific season and are in contention for the playoffs but they will also want to end a long wait for a big day out in the cup.

Newport lost out west in a tight quarter-final last year but will start this weekend's encounter as slight favourites courtesy of a higher league position and a bonus point victory in Carmarthen in October.

They may, however, be rusty after suffering a string of postponements since their drubbing of Neath on December 5.

Head coach Craig Warlow has his Wales youngsters available before they take part in the Under-20s Six Nations, although Arwel Robson and Barney Nightingale have to be content with places on the bench.

Julian Mogg is given the 10 jersey – as he was meant to at Pontypridd last weekend – with experienced Ryan James providing guidance from scrum-half.

Pontypool (v Bedwas): J Hurley, N Brooks, D Robinson, S Tu'ipulotu, P Lewis, T Hancock, R Dyer, J Jeune, B Parry (captain), J Popple, E Ferriman, L Williams, G Rusby-Davies, N Hudd, J Williams. Replacements: TBA

Bedwas (at Pontypool): J Dixon, A Evans, A Williams, M Callow, M John, R Powell, L Crane, D Preece (captain), R Wilkes, M Pettit, G Edmunds, S Feehan, J Sawyer, G Lee, A Waite. Replacements: A Rees, B Toms, K Jenkins, J Mills, G Williams, T Rowlands, C Edwards, R Budina

Newport (v Carmarthen Q): L ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe, H Palmer, A James, E Frewen, J Mogg, R James, J Lavender, E Whitson, A Jeffries, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, R Jenkins, B Lampitt. Replacements: H Palmer, T Piper, J Greenfield, J Cullimore, J Goodey, O Davies, A Robson, B Nightingale

Swalec Cup round one fixtures: Tata Steel v Llanelli, Beddau v Bridgend, Glynneath v Newcastle Emlyn, Llandovery v Cardiff, Narberth v Merthyr, Neath v Bargoed, Pontypool v Bedwas, RGC 1404 v Llanharan, Swansea v Pontypridd. (Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale and Newbridge have byes)