Andy Powell goes to head-to-head with Jack Condy today as the former Wales No.8 and the ex-Scarlets back row forward pick a first fight of three scraps before the end of the season.

Powell is now into his second season as coach at Brecon, while Condy is in his first at Penallta.

The clubs square up in the first of three vital games in the semi-finals of the WRU National Plate at Ebbw Vale.

It will be the fifth time in eight seasons the Pitmen have reached the final four, while it is new territory for Brecon.

The key question at Eugene Cross Park will be which one of them will be heading to Principality Stadium for a final against either Bonymaen or Treorchy.

“At the start of the year we did say we wanted to try and win the cup, but Penallta are a great side and have won this Plate competition in the recent past,” said Powell.

“We knew it was going to be hard, but the players are mentally ready. It will be a tough challenge to beat Penallta first, but if we do make it to the Principality Stadium it would be an amazing opportunity for the players.

“It would also be a great day out for the fans and amazing for Brecon. I took over as head coach last year, but I think I probably put a bit too much expectation on the players.

“I want to win this competition for the boys. In pre-season we all sat down and the boys said they wanted to win some silverware and things are going well at the moment.

“But every game is a potential banana skin if you don’t turn up with the right attitude. Since I’ve taken over the boys have trained so hard and become different players within a year.”

Penallta may be going into the game as slight underdogs against a Brecon side that is unbeaten this season in league and cup, but head coach Condy’s men will hold all the aces when it comes to knowledge, especially if the game becomes tight.

A fourth final is the goal and, whoever wins, will also be laying down a marker in the battle for the Division 1 East league title. Rounds two and three will come later in the season with the league title up for grabs.

“At this stage of the season, with things being so tight in the league as well, it seems as though every game is a cup final,” admitted Penallta head coach Condy, who played for Penallta in the final of the 2014 WRU Youth Cup at Principality Stadium.

“We’ve got a lot of cup experience, but Brecon have got a very good side with a very strong set-piece. We know how hard it is going to be to beat them.

“We can’t afford to let them get on top up front because that will just allow Gareth Gunter to run the game for them. He is an excellent outside half and we need to get after him and not allow him to settle.”

In the other semi-final, if Treorchy do make it to their first final then they can expect to get some expert advice on what it’s like to play at Principality Stadium, and not just from their head coach, former Ospreys and Wales centre Andrew Bishop.

Cardiff Blues scrum half Tomos Williams is the latest international produced by the famous Rhondda club and will be hoping his two elder brothers, centre Lloyd and fellow No 9 Owen, can inspire the Zebras to go all the way.

“We’ve got a big following going to Glynneath and I’m not sure there will be many people left in Treorchy on Saturday afternoon. It is a big day for the club and we’d obviously love to get to the final,” said long-serving club secretary, Bryan James.

“Our Youth team were there last season when they faced Rumney in the final of the WRU Youth Cup. Three of the players who were in that side will be playing in the Plate semi-final.”

The talented trio are hooker Curtis Greenslade, lock Thomas John and flanker Cerith Loyd, while wing Liam Lloyd and scrum half Nathan Griffiths have also graduated with honours in the first-team ranks this season.

While their league form has been disappointing, Treorchy are in another semi-final on 10 April against Gilfach Goch in the Mid District Cup.

WRU NATIONAL PLATE SEMI-FINALS

Bonymaen v Treorchy (Glynneath RFC)

Brecon v Penallta (Ebbw Vale RFC)