With a top four finish in the Premiership the target, Ponty will need to harvest valuable points against the club rooted at the bottom of the table.
Ebbw Vale in turn will be battling for survival in their relegation dogfight with Pontypool, all in all making for an intriguing must win encounter for both contestants.
As the games come thick and fast in league and cup, Pontypridd take an opportunity to rest some players and to utilise the strength in depth of their squad.
Gary Williams slots in at full back, behind a new centre pairing of Adam Thomas and Dafydd Lockyer. A revised front row union of Jon Williams, Tom Hetherington and Ryan Harford will take the field, with Darren Waters coming in on the open-side flank. Aaron Bramwell returns from Wales Sevens duties to take a place on the bench.
Pontypridd 15.Gary Williams. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Lewis Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Kristian Baller; 1.Jon Williams. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Nathan Strong (captain)
Subs: Gavin Morris; Aaron Bramwell; Matthew Nuthall; Huw Dowden; Ken Knaggs; Wayne O’Connor; Kristian Dacey.
