Bargoed RFC v Pontypool RFC

All thoughts on the cup final will be put on hold until after today’s giant clash with fierce rivals Bargoed in the WRU Admiral National Championship, according to defence coach Andrew Quick.

While supporters may have one eye on next weekend’s trip to the capital, that is not a luxury the players can afford if they want to leave Bargoed Park with a victory.

The mantra this season has been ‘one game at a time’ and that hasn’t changed, despite the chance to lift silverware at the Principality Stadium next Sunday.

In some ways a game against a side that has become a big rival over the last few season is the perfect test before a final.

“First and foremost the league is the priority,” said Quick.

“The cup final is nice to have, the boys have done well to get there.

“We weren’t in it last year and the boys wanted to get that day in the stadium.

“A good day for the club, a good day for the supporters, who have been massive for us this year.

“But our focus is on the league and then we’ll focus on the cup final the week after.

“For us now just seeing out the remaining games, it is a cliché but it’s one game at a time, that’s all we can really afford to look at.

“If you look at the games we’ve played with Bargoed over the last couple of years, there is no love lost between us and Bargoed.

“They will be fired up for this game just as much as we will.

“Everything in rugby starts upfront with the set piece.

“We know that’s a strong part of their game, they are very forward orientated so we know we need to get at least parity.

“When we played them last time we probably came out on top and that reflected in the scoreline.

“But we’re under no illusions, they are a good side and they’ve done a job on us in the past too.

“The motivation will be there for Bargoed, they won’t want to lose to us three times and likewise for us, we want to win every game we play.”

Pooler travel to Bargoed on the back of scoring over 100 points against Glamorgan Wanderers at home.

“History will tell you one week you can beat a side and the following week if you don’t turn up with the right attitude you can come undone,” Quick continued.

“The scoreline on Saturday didn’t really reflect the game.

“Yes we did play well, the boys had a great mindset, a great attitude to go out there and do a job.

“I thought Wanderers were unlucky to be on the receiving end of that scoreline, I don’t think it really warrants where they are as a club.

“Bargoed will offer a totally different game but if we play like we did on Saturday then I’m sure we’ll be more than capable of causing Bargoed a few problems.”