And Bridgend coach Allan Lewis is expecting a tough time for his side who haven’t played a competitive game since November 2, when they beat Ebbw Vale 7-6 in the Welsh Premiership.
“We’re bound to be a bit rusty,” admitted Lewis.
“Obviously they’ve being playing regularly so we’ll have to be on top of our game if we are to progress through.
“Up-front is going to be a key area and our pack have got a important part to play.
“They’ve also got some great centres. Mike Tindall and Kevin Maggs are class and we’ll have to keep a close eye on them.
Bridgend: G Cull; R Mustoe, G Thomas, S Taumalolo, A Havili; S Mannix, S Martens; C Loader, G Williams, C Horsman, D Jones, A Moore, N Budgett, C Harris, R Bryan. Replacements: H Harries, C Warlow, P Booth, J Thiel, M Molitika, S van Rensburg, B Phillips.
Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells believes that Saturday’s Parker Pen Challenge Cup game against Leeds Tykes will give his players the perfect opportunity to erase the memories of Friday night’s disappointing Celtic League defeat.
The Sardis Road crew crashed out of the competition going down 13-12 against Neath in the quarter-final of the competition.
He said: “Losing on Friday has annoyed us all and we’ll be looking to make up for it against Leeds.
“It’s going to be a tough game as they are a good side. They’re flying high domestically and our preparation have been far from ideal but they won’t relish coming here.
“Losing always upsets me but the manner in which we were defeated is especially hard to take. We didn’t play to our full potential and we didn’t show our true colours and that’s what hurts the most.
“The players are keen to get the game out of their heads as quickly as possible and luckily they have an opportunity to do that relatively quickly.”
Pontypridd: B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Bryant, E Lewis; C Sweeney, P John; G Jenkins, M Davies (capt), D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, N Kelly, R Parks, G Lewis
Replacements: J Lewis, N Jenkins, G Baber, N Hennessy, M Rees, D McIntosh, W O’Connor
Leeds Tykes:
Referee: (Eric Darriere (France)
Ebbw Vale host Madrid 2012 at Eugene Cross Park at the weekend and Mike Ruddock’s men will be confident of progressing through to the next round of the competition.
Caerphilly travel to Italy to play Rugby Rovigo and Mark Ring’s men should be too strong over the two legs for the Castletown Men.
