The Valley Commandos will be eager to post a win on their playing record, to maintain their top three position in a very competitive Premiership table.
Bedwas, although languishing in eleventh position in the league, come into this game on the back of a creditable home win over high flying Ebbw Vale, whilst Ponty lost narrowly away to Newport last weekend, bringing to an end a five match winning run. The two bonus points which Ponty accumulated in defeat were enough to hoist them above Ebbw into third place, ironically thanks to the Bedwas victory.
Facing up to a Bedwas team with a reputation of physicality and total commitment, Pontypridd have plenty of injury and selection problems, in the front row area in particular. Hooker Duane Goodfield and prop Ryan Harford are both sidelined with rib injuries, whilst hooker Rhys Williams and prop Sam Hobbs are away with the Wales U18 and U20 squads respectively. Prop Ian Poley is absent due to a family bereavement.
Called up on permit to bolster Ponty’s front row options are props Owen Cotton from Ynysybwl and Gareth Jones from Caerphilly, the former to take up the loose head berth and the latter as cover on the bench. Stuart Williams will move over to play as tight head anchorman for the Ponty scrum, packing down alongside hooker Leighton Davies.
Others currently on the sick list are wingers Chris Clayton (shoulder) and Gavin Close (knee) and flanker Rhys Shellard (calf strain).On the plus side, Ponty have welcomed outside half Dai Flanagan back to training this week following a long term injury, and flanker Lee Evans also returning to fitness to claim a place in the starting line up. Scrum half Rhys Downes is back on club duty following a stint with the Wales under 18 squad, taking a place on the bench alongside Flanagan and permit winger Owen Williams from Blackwood.
Pontypridd:
15. Lawrence Price
14. Tom Riley
13. Gavin Dacey
12. Adam Thomas
11. Kristian Baller
10. Gareth McCarthy
9. Andrew Jenkins
1. Owen Cotton
2. Leighton Davies
3. Stuart Williams
4. Ryan Savage
5. Chris Dicomidis
6. Lee Evans
7. Wayne O’Connor
8. Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements:
Owen Williams
Dai Flanagan
Rhys Downes
Gareth Jones
Lee Pearce
Chris Martenko
Geraint Lewis
