IF league encounters between Cross Keys and Bedwas are anything to go by then it will be a tense afternoon at Pandy Park in the quarter-finals of the Swalec Cup (kick-off 2.30pm).

Eight teams are within 160 minutes of the Millennium Stadium and the toughest tie to call is the Gwent derby.

Keys have been in marvellous form in the Principality Premiership to go from being outsiders for a place in the playoffs to being challengers for second place and a home semi-final.

However, the only side to beat them in their last 11 fixtures is Bedwas, who triumphed 37-31 at Bridge Field in January to complete a league double over their neighbours following their 29-25 win in September.

Keys have a strong recent history in the Swalec Cup, winning it in 2012 and being beaten by Pontypridd in the final last year, while Bedwas have never made the semi-finals and in recent years have lost to Cardiff (2010) and Llandovery (2007).

Keys make two changes to the side that won out west with Darren Hughes replacing Jon Howard at hooker and lock Simon Williams coming in for Tom Lampard while Wales Under-20s loosehead Luke Garrett is among the replacements after a strong Six Nations campaign.

Josh Walker is back at lock for Bedwas with James Richards moving to the back row where he joins forces with James Sawyer and stalwart Deri Mattravers.

Luke Crane, a try scorer in the win against Keys at Bridge Field, returns at scrum-half to partner fly-half Richard Powell, who booted 17 points in that encounter.

Newport are underdogs for their clash with Carmarthen Quins out west but they can take spirit from one of their few afternoons to remember in a miserable season.

The Black and Ambers, who looked to be condemned to propping up the Principality Premiership, beat the playoff-chasing Quins 25-21 at Rodney Parade.

Newport, whose last quarter-final tie was in 2011, will need to better that performance to take the spoils and are boosted by the return of wing Barney Nightingale, scrum-half Owen Davies and tighthead Alex Jeffries from Wales Under-20s duty.

However, they are still without captain Ollie Griffiths as the openside, star of the Under-20s Six Nations, is on Dragons duty while fellow back rower Sam Cross is playing at the Hong Kong Sevens.

The other two ties see cup favourites Pontypridd hosting Llandovery at Sardis Road while Swalec Championship side Merthyr will quietly fancy their chances of an upset at Bridgend.

Cross Keys (v Bedwas): E Jones, N Williams, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, P Uhi, E Davies, R James, R Cornock, D Hughes, A Lott, D Hodge, S Williams, A Powell, S Matthews, J Condy. Replacements: H Palmer, L Garrett, C Gould, J Skinner, AN Other, J Leadbeater, O Jones, T Lampard.

Bedwas (at Cross Keys): H Thomson, S Taylor, M Callow, A Pinches, M John, R Powell, L Crane, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, P Rees (captain), J Walker, J Richards, J Sawyer, D Mattravers. Replacements: R Hutcherson, D Preece, J Mills, D Crimmins, G Lee, G Hutcherson, J Maynard, S Thomas.

Newport (at Carmarthen Quins): L ap Myrddin, B Nightingale, N Edwards, D Franchi, E Frewen, G O'Driscoll, O Davies, D Pattison, D Rogers, A Jeffries, Adam Brown (captain), D Partridge, A Frampton, R Jenkins, S Feehan. Replacements: E Whitson, L Jenkins, J Monck, R Gibbon, B Lampitt, A Quick, J Mogg, R Wilson