THEY may be eyeing a return to the Premiership but the magic of the cup is still there for Newbridge.

The Division One East table-toppers head to Merthyr tomorrow afternoon.

It would be easy to see the Swalec Cup as an unwelcome distraction but forwards coach Andrew Gibbs believes there is no reason why they can’t fight on two fronts.

“Our main focus is the league but we would also like to go as far as we can in the cup and hopefully take on a Premiership side at home,” he said.

“To do that we will have to beat Merthyr and we know that we face a tough game up there.

“We won there earlier in the season but this is cup rugby and anything can happen. Plus they showed they are a good side by beating (second-placed) Gilfach Goch.”

The cup clash also provides another run out for ‘Bridge, who are among the many clubs that have been frustrated by the weather over the last few months.

It looks like the race for the title, and a place in the promotion play-offs, is between them and Ebbw Vale with neither having much room for error.

“It’s going to be a tight finish and the game against Ebbw Vale will be huge,” said Gibbs. “However, we have both found out this season that you will come a cropper if you are off your game so we will just keep working hard.

“It’s difficult picking a team at the moment because the squad is so strong. Everybody, forwards and backs, is pushing for a start and it is nice for us coaches to have selection headaches.”