Rugby Union: Tondu swap bread for jam

Gordon Pritchard believes today's Swalec Cup fifth-round tie against Premier Division Swansea will provide his Tondu players with an "enjoyable change" from the rigours of the League programme.

"The League is our bread and butter and promotion could benefit this club by between pounds 80,000 and pounds 90,000," said coach Pritchard, who has guided Tondu to second place in the Second Division.

"I would swap a victory over Swansea for League wins over Whitland and Tredegar although, obviously, this match will be a highlight for our players and supporters. It will be an enjoyable change."

Swansea have named a strong side, including the Wales outside half Arwel Thomas, although Scott Gibbs has not fully recovered from a knee injury and sits out the match.

Pontypridd, the only Premier Division club to be drawn at home, will face a Treorchy side containing six of their former players.

The fly-half Gavin Jones, prop Mark Powell and the flanker Gavin Owen were all Pontypridd regulars, while the prop Kevin Matthews and back-row men Scott Eggar and Barry Jones have also turned out for the Sardis Road club.

Andrew Lewis, in line for a place in the Wales team who face Italy on 7 February, continues his recovery from injury in the Cardiff side at Newbridge, whose lock, Paul Kawulok, has a particular reason to be relishing the encounter.

Kawulok was a member of the Cardiff team who suffered a humiliating Cup defeat by St Peter's on their own Arms Park pitch five years ago.

"Losing to St Peter's was one of the worst experiences of my career," Kawulok, the Newbridge captain, said. "It would be nice to play a part in another Cup upset - this time on the winning side."