Of the games remaining, there are local derbies in Bridgend and Cardiff while an all Premiership clash between Llanelli and Pontypridd takes place at Parc y Scarlets
After their defeat to Cross Keys in last year’s final, Pontypridd will be hoping for another long cup run alongside what has been an impressive league campaign so far.
The Sardis Road club could not have asked for a tougher first round draw though and travel west to take on a Llanelli side who dramatically qualified for the latter stages of the British & Irish Cup last weekend.
“If you are going to play Pontypridd at any time it’s at home in the cup,” argued Llanelli’s head of rugby Anthony Buchanan.
“You have to beat everybody if you are going to win the cup so we may as well start now.
“We’ve got to be at our best to win but we’ve got a good squad of players. We’ve changed the team around but there will be no excuses.”
With a number of Premiership players being given a chance to impress with their regions in the LV = Cup, Llanelli are just one of the sides to bring in some new faces.
“This is a competition both ourselves and Ponty are both very passionate about,” continued Buchanan.
“Kyle Evans has been looking sharp recently and our centre pairing has blended in nicely. It’s about taking the opportunities when we get them.
“This is a good opportunity for some of our players and you can’t get any bigger than a clash with Pontypridd.”
At the Arms Park, Cardiff and Cardiff Metropolitan will hope to secure local bragging rights in their local derby. The Premiership side will be hoping to use a cup win as the springboard for league success but they won’t have it easy against the side placed third in the Championship.
In what will be a similarly passionate local derby, Bridgend Athletic travel to the Brewery Field looking to spring a surprise on Ben Rose’s Bridgend Ravens while north Wales side RGC 1404 face the long trip south to take on Swansea.
“As a group we are excited about playing against a team with a such history of success,” said RGC head of rugby Rupert Moon.
“With the average age of our side being just 19 and a half and with two school boys playing, it’s going to be a tough challenge but one we will relish and enjoy.”
Elsewhere, Llanharan and Beddau clash in an all Championship tie while Carmarthen Quins visit Narberth.
Defending champions Cross Keys are one of a number of sides to have a bye in the first round along with Neath and Glamorgan Wanderers.
SWALEC Cup fixtures:
Whitland v Aberavon (POSTPONED)
Ebbw Vale v Newbridge (POSTPONED)
Cardiff v Cardiff Metropolitan
Bedwas v Llandovery (POSTPONED)
Bridgend v Bridgend Athletic
Llanharan v Beddau
Swansea v RGC 1404
Newport v Bonymaen (POSTPONED)
Llanelli v Pontypridd
Narberth v Carmarthen Quins
Blackwood v Pontypool (POSTPONED)
