CARDIGAN Rugby Club has welcomed the WRU National Bowl semi-final draw which pits the Cardis against Amman United.

But earlier speculation that Llyr Griffiths and his team-mates might be confronted by Welsh legend Shane Williams in the big game on Saturday, March 25, are ungrounded.

The 39-year-old Williams, capped 87 times by Wales and outstanding for the British and Irish Lions, would technically be able to be included.

But the following day he runs in the London Marathon for charity and won't be available even if the Amman coaches wished to consider it.

Unbeaten League 3 West B leaders Amman will be expected to pose a major threat to Cardigan's hopes of reaching the final at the Principality Stadium, but the draw on Tuesday was greeted with sighs of relief at King George V Playing Field after the Cardis avoided strongly fancied Caerphilly.

High-flying United have won all 12 of their league games and in going through to the penultimate stage of the Bowl competition were given a walkover in round two when Llandeilo failed to raise a team.

The Amman Valley battlers brushed aside League 3 East A pacesetter Hartridge in the next round, sauntered to a 39-5 away triumph over Cardiff-based St Albans in round four, sank Monmouth of League 3 East A 18-7 at home in the fifth round and went through to the semi-final with a 13-3 home win over Burry Port.

On hearing the draw, Cardigan head coach Colin Horscroft told the Tivy-Side: "I'd have to say it is the best draw for us as we could have come up against Caerphilly and their players from Pontypridd.

"Having said that I know it will be a huge challenge against Amman United and it is likely to be all on the day. Everyone at our club is looking forward to the challenge," he said.

Amman secretary Brian Davies said: "We have a strong pack of forwards and can also play an expansive game. We are playing well and hopefully we can reach the final."

In the other semi-final Caerphilly take on Cilfynydd.