THE Principality Stadium dreams of Gwent clubs hinge on thriving on their travels in the Swalec Cup this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Bedwas and Newbridge were all drawn away from home for the second round of the competition.

Keys, who had a bye in round one, must conquer holders Bridgend if they are to repeat their famous 2012 victory at the home of Welsh rugby.

Captain Rob Nash lifted the silverware after a shock win against Pontypridd four years ago and the Ravens followed suit with a stunning upset in 2015.

Keys have been frustrated by the weather in recent weeks but hope that the cobwebs have been blown away for the trip to the Brewery Field by last weekend’s hugely disappointing 48-22 league defeat at Llanelli.

Ebbw, another team to enjoy a bye, have been in red-hot form in the Premiership to put themselves right back in the mix for the playoffs and should continue to challenge on two fronts by winning at Newcastle Emlyn.

They head west to face a side sitting 10th in the Championship and if the Steelmen have their heads screwed on a quarter-final spot awaits.

Bedwas face a sterner challenge, on paper at least, when they travel to Carmarthen to face a Quins side that thumped Newport in round one.

Steve Law’s team have been in good form of late, winning at Pontypool in round one and comprehensively beating the Black and Ambers in both the league and Foster’s Challenge Cup, but need to go up another level against the Quins.

Newbridge will cause the shock of the round if they can become the first team to beat Llandovery on their own turf this season.

‘Bridge will be looking for Dan Mock to lead from the front against the 2007 cup winners after the lock scored a try on permit for Newport in the Challenge Cup in midweek

Cross Keys (at Bridgend): O Howe, E Jones, L Andrews (captain), N Williams, N Trowbridge, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes, R Cornock, T Lampard, S Andrews, J Skinner, I Jones, A Powell. Replacements: E Shipp, A Lott, G Carpenter, J Howard, M Powell, L Montague, O Leonard, S Williams.

Bedwas (at Carmarthen Quins): I Phillips, R Budina, A Williams, M Callow, M John, R Powell, L Crane, D Preece (captain), R Wilkes, J Mills, G Edmunds, T Bell, A Waite, G Lee, S Feehan. Replacements: A Rees, B Toms, M Pettit, R Verley, J Sawyer, J Preddy, C Edwards, G Gasson.

Newbridge (at Llandovery): (forwards from) J Bowen, J Goodfield, M Kavanagh, l Leddington, l Mahoney, D Mock, l Morgan, K Tayler, S Vokes, J Watkins, M Wheeler, J Williams; (backs) R Cornwall, G Davies , C Duncan, A John, K Meek, R Lee, L Peary, C Watkins , S Williams.

Ebbw Vale (at Newcastle Emlyn): TBA

Other fixtures: Llanelli v Merthyr, Neath v Cardiff Met, Pontypridd v Bridgend Athletic, RGC 1404 v Aberavon