Bridgend Ravens upset the odds to claim a 19-15 triumph over league champions Pontypridd last season, in what was a repeat of the 1979 final. The Ravens begin the defence of their title with a tricky trip to Championship side Beddau. Head coach Mike Hook has selected six members of the match-day 23 who won the famous trophy in May. Paul Edwards starts at full-back for Bridgend, with Marc Bennett out injured. He is joined in the back three by speedsters Mike Powell and Ryan Griffiths. Joseph Gatt and Ryan Evans continue in midfield, with Joseph Scrivens and Geraint Watkin partnered at half back.
Dale Rogers and Cai Lewis join Lewis Francis in a powerful front three. It is the same back row which started at Llandovery, as Bridgend look to get back to winning ways. Prop Owen Cotton swapped the blue and white for green and gold, and he will be hoping to start for the hosts this weekend.
Swansea are hoping to get back in the big time next season, and have a chance to prove their Principality Premiership credentials against champions Pontypridd at St Helens. The All Whites sit second, behind Merthyr in the SWALEC Championship table, while Ponty are battling it out with Llandovery, Aberavon and Cross Keys to retain their Premiership title. Swansea have only been beaten once this season, and are looking to continue a run of seven straight victories.
Llandovery welcome Cardiff to West Wales on Saturday in a round one repeat of the 2007 cup final. It was the Drovers who came out victorious at the Principality Stadium nine years ago, as they sunk the capital club with a try in the seventh minute of injury time to claim a 20-18 triumph. Llandovery will favourites to step into the second round, as they top the Premiership table with 10 wins from 14 matches. Cardiff were beaten 40-0 when they visited Church Bank in November, and they are looking to turn around a run of six straight defeats.
Championship table-toppers Merthyr will be confident of cup success, having lost only once this season, to Pontypool. The league leaders take-on Championship rivals Narberth in West Wales equipped with former Cardiff Blues stars Andy and Gary Powell.
Pontypool produced a shock triumph to beat Merthyr earlier in the season, and will be hoping to do the same at home to Premiership side Bedwas. Neath are rock bottom of the Premiership with just seven points so far this season, but they have to see-off a hungry Bargoed side if they are to turn their poor form around against the fifth placed Championship side.
There is guaranteed Championship involvement in round two, as Llanharan travel to North Wales to clash with RGC 1404, and Glynneath welcome fellow Championship strugglers Newcastle Emlyn. There is one Sunday cup fixture, as Carmarthen Quins travel east to take-on Newport at Rodney Parade.
