NEWBRIDGE coach Wayne Jones is looking for his charges to rise to the intensity of a Premiership side when they head to Bedwas.

‘Bridge lead the way in Division One East but know that they will have their work cut out against a side that have bounced back in recent weeks.

The Bridge Field outfit made a ropey start to the campaign but have notched deserved wins over Bridgend and Ebbw Vale in recent weeks.

Newbridge coaches Jones and Byron Hayward plan to tinker slightly with their side but will retain a spine that they feel can trouble their hosts.

“If we can live with the intensity and stay within a score then we will make a real game of it,” said Jones.

“There is a big difference between the Premiership and Division One, just as there is between regional rugby and the Premiership, but you can push tiredness to the back of the mind if you are within a score and still in the game.

“We have a decent set piece and I’m confident that we will get plenty of ball, but we just need to step it up in between.

“As coaches we don’t want the cup clouding our real aim of promotion but this game is as important as the league ones coming up.

“The players are under scutiny and need to perform and impress to claim starting spots.”

Cross Keys will come up against former Wales and Scarlets tight-head John Davies when they travel west to face Crymych.

The Pandy Park outfit have made a number of changes to their side and those coming in have the carrot of a start in the Gwent derby with Newport next week as motivation.

And forwards coach Greg Woods is expecting his charges to stand up to the physical challenge of their Three West opponents.

“We have played the underdog card a number of times so we know that we have to go there and do a professional job,” he said.

“If they are still in the game at half-time then it will be a tough afternoon but we have to try and knock the stuffing out of them early on.

“No Premiership side should be losing at this stage of the cup, and that is no disrespect to Crymych, and we are keen to have a good run.”

Pontypool are also heading along the M4 with a tie at One West’s Bonymaen, a side that have previously bidded for promotion but who are struggling at the basement this term.

Pooler showed tremendous spirit when losing 33-18 to Neath last weekend but it was ultimately another fruitless weekend.

Tomorrow could be a useful workout to get some belief back ahead of a festive period that will be crucial in determining whether they can avoid the drop.

Ebbw Vale drew the short straw when they were pair with Llandudno and the long trip north may prove to be something of a test run given the WRU’s plans to get the game thriving away from the M4.

The Steelmen are really struggling at the moment and have lost their last four games, so tomorrow’s game either presents the opportunity to return to winning ways and get confidence flowing ahead of next week’s derby with Pontypool or it is a banana skin that will further deepen the gloom.

But Ebbw are slowly getting their influential players back from injury and international call-ups and should have enough to safely get into round five.

Elsewhere, Ynysddu of Five East will be looking to cause a shock when they head to Llanharan, who are mid-table in One East. Monmouth of Four East look to do likewise at One East strugglers Rumney.

There is an intriguing Gwent derby when Pill Harriers, in the middle of Three East, host Two East leaders Tredegar.

Four East strugglers Chepstow will be looking for a boost when they head to Bridgend Athletic, Fleur-de-Lys of Two East travel to Corus and Three East leaders Garndiffaith will look to seal a round five spot at neighbouring Five East’s Talywain.