As shown already in this season’s tournament, clubs are well capable of snatching valued points from each other as results confound the predictions made each weekend.
Both teams are equal on 39 points apiece, and equal on 5 bonus points apiece, Pontypridd claiming a one position advantage over the Keys, fifth over sixth in the Premiership, due to an advantageous score difference. The opportunity is there for one club to pull away from the other in an intriguing showdown at Pandy Park, weather permitting.
Ponty’s topsy turvy campaign this week is on a high following an emphatic home win over Llandovery last time out. There is a need for the team to hit a vein of form and consistency, which the club’s coaches have been working at on the training paddock.
Selection for the Cross Keys game sees a theme of continuity as a reward for the performance put in against Llandovery, although Ponty will be without scrum half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams, both away on international duty with the Wales U18 training squad.
Duane Goodfield returns from senior Blues duties to claim the hooker’s berth, whilst flanker Lee Evans makes an early return from injury to take a seat on the bench. Also named as a replacement is winger Daniel Davies, called up on permit from Merthyr.
Pontypridd: Lawrence Price; Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Adam Thomas, Kristian Baller; Gareth McCarthy, Andrew Jenkins; Stuart Williams, Duane Goodfield, Ryan Harford, Ryan Savage, Chris Dicomidis, Geraint Lewis, Rhys Shellard, Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements: Neil Burnett, Matthew Hutchings, Daniel Davies, Sam Hobbs, Leighton Davies, Lee Evans, Wayne O’Connor
