Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup final on Wednesday, May 23rd, 6.45pm kick off at St Davids RFC:

Pembroke v Aberystwyth

*Pembroke: Tom Harding-Jones, Luke Hartland, Fraser James, Dan Colley, Elliott Evans, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Dom Colman, Seamus Wiseman, Jonathan Palmer, Scott Powell (captain), Cyle Weatherall, Billy Wood, Rhodri Walters, Sam Smith.

Replacements: Jamie Brayford, Lloyd Davies, Jordan Evans, Will Edwards, Alex Thomas, Shaun Dalling, James Davies.

Coaches: Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies.

*Aberystwyth: Matthew Hughes, Gwern Penri, Carwyn Evans, Steff Rees, Ben Jones, Steffan Rees, Llyr Thomas, Oisin Canney, Owen Bonsall, James Plumbrdige, Robbie Parry, Arwel Lloyd, Bryn Sheperd, Tom Evans, Dan Binks.

Replacements: James Nichols, Carwyn Thomas, Sam Heiden, Paul Stubbs, Dorian Jones, Matthew Jacobs, Ifan Thomas.

Coaches: Andrew Barlow, Craig Turner, Rob Rudge and Ifan Thomas(player coach).

*Both sides subject to change.

Referee: Matthew Thomas.

Assistants: Jason Summers and Andrew Miles.

Road to the final:

Round One: Haverfordwest 7-50 Aberystwyth; Pembroke (walkover) v Cardigan.

Round Two: Aberystwyth 27-7 Crymych; Pembroke (walkover) v Fishguard.

Semi finals: Aberystwyth 11-9 Tenby United; Pembroke Dock Quins 0-46 Pembroke.

One final effort:

It's May 23rd. So to put it mildly - it has been a long season.

Our finalists were in action right up until last weekend, with Aber beating Llangennech 26-19 to seal a commendable fourth placed finish in Division One West, while Pembroke beat Milford 48-21 before receiving the Division Three West A silverware.

But what has been important for both teams is they have not stumbled over their respective finish lines. Aber have won five straight league games since losing to eventual champions Felinfoel on April 14th - while The Scarlets have done the same en route to the title since that agonising National Bowl final defeat to Porthcawl.

There will be patched up bodies and tired limbs, that's inevitable at this stage of the season, but both will go in with momentum and battle hardened. There are no real excuses, for being rusty.

Big players for a big occasion:

It goes without saying that as the Division One West side, Aber will kick off clear favourites tomorrow against a team that despite being league champions, has competed this season two leagues below them.

In last year's final against Tenby, despite awful condtions, they showed an ability to attack out wide with real pace and precision, but this season it is their work up front that has won a lot of plaudits.

Flanker Bryn Sheperd has excelled with both his ball carrying and line out work, while in the backline centre Carwyn Evans has also been key, solid in defence and formidable when hitting up in midfield.

I expect the clash of the back rows to be as physical as it will be critical, and the tally of 40 tries for the season for Pembroke No 8 Sam Smith says it all.

Interestingly, according to their team selection submitted this week, the Scarlets have opted for a more mobile back row around Smith, with Dom Colman moving to prop and Billy Wood and Rhodri Walters playing at 7 and 6.

Inevitably, the half back battle will also be important. Llyr Thomas and Steffan Rees will provide a real test for Pembroke's Tom Lewis and Toby Smith, but the latter pairing have forged a strong partnership this season and in centre Dan Colley, they have a real in-form player outside them.

In fact, whis is intriguing is both sides have a pack capable of getting their side on the front foot - as well as carrying ample threat behind.

Can Aber get over the final hurdle?

They won't thank me for saying it, but Aberystwyth will have to overcome their recent hoodoo in KO Cup finals if they are to lift the silverware tonight.

Four times in the past nine seasons, the Mid-Wales club have suffered heartbreak at this stage.

In 2009, they were beaten by Crymych in Aberaeron, before losing to Tenby United three times in a row – in 2012 (in Cardigan), 2014 (in Fishguard) and then 12 months ago in Crymych.

That last final in particular would have been tough to take. Trailing 18-17, Aber had a late try disallowed and eventually lost 21-17.

For Pembroke, tonight represents a first KO Cup final in the modern era – but they go in no strangers to the big occasion.

The Scarlets have had a strong season, and we all know about that Bowl final where they were beaten 33-31 by Porthcawl at the Principality Stadium.

But that experience will ensure they won’t be intimidated by the importance of this game, and they will relish the fact they are seen as the underdogs as they aim to complete an historic double.

Can they exploit Aber’s recent vulnerability in finals? 

Pilgrimage to St Davids:

For the first time in the club’s history, St Davids RFC will host the KO Cup final.

The pitch at Fishguard Road has become infamous in recent seasons for its natural drainage of surface water - but with the weather set fair for tonight, players won't need to worry about slipping over.

St Davids RFC Chairman Colin Reynolds said the club was excited about the occasion: “We look forward to welcoming both Pembroke and Aberystwyth and will be doing our best to make sure supporters enjoy themselves.

“It’s a great honour for the club and we want to do it properly.”

Indeed, while the journey is considerably longer for Aber than it is for Pembroke, the Mid-Wales side are set to bring two bus loads of supporters down. The Scarlets are also expected to bring a more than healthy gathering of fans, especially given the amount that descended upon Cardiff in late April.

It is a wide pitch and the ground will be firm - so neutrals will note the potential for some good rugby to be played.

As for the players, St Davids fixture secretary Jack Dudley has advised they book Thursday off.

If you've seen Jack drink, you'll know he's not joking.

The view from Pembroke:

Geraint Lewis (head coach): "We've shown the strength of our squad in recent weeks and although we have rotated players and blooded youngsters - we have continued in the same vein by winning games and scoring lots of points.

"So although we have one or two out tomorrow (Barry Alderman-John and Alex Wilkes have both been recently ruled out to injury) there are boys to come in and we are looking forward to playing a Division One side. It will give us a true reflection of where we're at.

"We know we are big underdogs but we will give it a real go."

The view from Aberystwyth:

Tim Lewis (Chairman): "Aber and Pembroke may be in two different Divisions of the National League West but we are taking this match very seriously.

"A few weeks ago we saw Pembroke lose very narrowly to Porthcawl in the Bowl final at the Principality Stadium and were very impressed with their performance - we were in last year's Pembs Cup final and came away empty handed so hope to do better this evening.

"Above all, I hope that we see a very entertaining game."