Pontypool comfortably beat Carmarthen Quins in the last round as they added another Premiership scalp to those of Llanelli and Cardiff they picked up in last season’s cup run. They were eventually beaten at Cross Keys in the last eight.
Merthyr are currently riding high at the top of the Premiership table as they go in search of back-to-back titles. They reached the cup semi-finals last year before going out to a dramatic late score against eventual winners RGC 1404.
The two teams last met in the Championship in the 2015/16 season, when the Ironmen won the title. Pooler won 20-13 in Merthyr, but were then beaten 33-13 at home.
The only other Championship side left in the draw, Beddau, will once again have home advantage over Newport if they can overcome Bedwas in their postponed clash. Bridgend and Ebbw Vale also have to try again for the right to travel to Bargoed, while two former winners, Cross Keys and Llandovery, will meet at Pandy Park.
WRU NATIONAL CUP – QUARTER-FINALS
Matches to be played on the weekend of 3 March
Bargoed v Bridgend / Ebbw Vale
Beddau / Bedwas v Newport
Cross Keys v Llandovery
Merthyr v Pontypool
