PONTYPOOL must put thoughts of their mouth-watering WRU National Cup semi-final to the back of their minds as they bid to avoid another upset against Cardiff Met today (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Pooler are romping to a hat-trick of Championship crowns and will secure the title in Cyncoed if they beat the students with a bonus and Narberth fail to get a maximum haul at Tata Steel.

Top spot carries the prize of a mid-May play-off on neutral territory for a place in the Premiership against the team that finishes fifth from bottom of the top flight.

Pooler will head into that clash buoyed by their cup exploits after beating Bridgend in extra time last week to add them to the scalps of Cross Keys, Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins and Llanelli.

That success has earned another crack at Merthyr, who won the double last season after beating Leighton Jones’ men in the quarters at the Wern.

Pooler will want to keep their momentum for next Saturday’s semi-final at Ebbw Vale and know from experience that Cardiff Met are tough opponents.

The students inflicted Pooler’s only Championship defeat of 2016/17 and pushed Jones’ men hard when the teams met in Gwent in November, the hosts having to dig deep for a 26-14 win in tough conditions after trailing 7-5 at half-time.

“Leighton has emphasised what a formidable challenge Met will pose and you only have to think back to our hard-fought 26-14 victory over the Students in November to know he is spot on,” said hooker Darren Hughes.

“I know it will sound like a cliche, but we really do take every game as it comes at the club and this week has all been about how we can go to Cardiff and win.”

While Pooler are thinking about glory in the league and cup, Newbridge are clinging onto their Championship status by their finger nails.

The Pigs suffered a damaging 20-17 loss to fellow strugglers Beddau last week and need a miracle to avoid the drop. They are third from bottom and travel to basement outfit Newcastle Emlyn today before finishing at Rhydyfelin next week.

'Bridge have already beaten both of those teams this season but even a 10-point haul is unlikely to be enough to avoid the men from the Welfare Ground from finishing in the bottom four.

Fixtures: Beddau v Rhydyfelin, Cardiff Met v Pontypool, Newcastle Emlyn v Newbridge, Tata Steel v Narberth, Trebanos v Maesteg Quins, Ystrad Rhondda v Bedlinog.

l Abergavenny and Oakdale bid to make finals day at Principality Stadium when they play semi-finals in the WRU National Bowl today.

Abergavenny lock horns with Nantgaredig at Llanharan while Oakdale meet Bridgend Sports at Taffs Well.

Penallta take on Brecon at Ebbw Vale in the Plate while Bonymaen and Treorchy meet at Glynneath.