Methyr v Cross Keys. Konica Minolta Cup

COACHES usually have their fingers crossed for a home draw as they wait for their next cup opponents but Cross Keys director of rugby Robert Beale was delighted to handed a trip to Merthyr.

It promises to be testing afternoon for Keys at the Division One West outfit and their hosts warmed up for the occasion by dishing out a thumping to last season's table-toppers Bonymaen last weekend.

Meanwhile Keys were brought back down to earth by Pontypridd, who ended their three-match winning streak with a comprehensive win at Pandy Park.

But Beale isn't going to be missing his home comforts this weekend, insisting he is pleased that his charges have been sent on their travels.

"As strange as this may sound, I prefer going to Merthyr than having them at Pandy Park," he said. "It gives us that extra focus and we know that we are in for a battle.

"If we had been at home there would be that danger of thinking we are bound to win but this ensures that the mindset is absolutely right because we know how difficult a game it will be.

"It is a far tougher game to have to go to their ground because they are a very strong outfit. I am sure they are delighted to be welcoming us and would love to take a Premiership scalp.

"There is no danger of us underestimating them and there is no question that they will try and get under our skin early on.

"The challenge is to quell what they throw at us. I have watched them a fair few times over the past few seasons and they have a lot of experience and talent, and they are certainly a handful on their own pitch."

Keys travel to the Arms Park to face Cardiff on Wednesday, a Premiership game that was rained off in December, and that has meant a slight rejig to this week's training schedule.

Beale said: "There's a little bit of added pressure with the rearranged game at Cardiff so what we have tried to do is prepare for both games while not looking beyond, or underestimating, Merthyr.

"I think our squad is more than capable of standing up to the test and we know our players well and who is capable of coping with the short turnaround and those that perhaps aren't.

"We knew what we were doing when we arranged the fixture for Wednesday and I am confident that we can come away with two wins."

Carl Pocock plays on the wing, swapping positions with centre Lee Humphreys.

Cross Keys: L Andrews, C Pocock, L Humphreys, D Dark, M Johnstone, R James, J Leadbetter, D Preece, R Miller, N Buck, M Curtis, A Sweet, C Bridges, G Gladwyn (captain), J Malpas. Replacements: J Price, L Burns, C Gould, S Rabuli, R Peebles, D Price, S Regan.