The contrast between the fortunes of the two opposing sides is significant. Pontypridd sit on top of their domestic league while the Bees are currently struggling at the bottom of the English Championship. Ponty have two wins out of two games played so far in the BIC, whilst the Bees have yet to get into action, with last weekend’s opener at home to Doncaster Knights having been postponed.
Any such comparisons will prove meaningless once the action gets underway on Saturday, as Pontypridd team manager Richard Langmead well knows.
“We played the Bees in a pre-season friendly this season, and we are aware of their capabilities” said Langmead. “They have a big abrasive pack and will provide tough opposition. Any games against English Championship sides are going to be hard – we expect no different against Birmingham & Solihull”.
Pontypridd have ventured to make changes from the starting line up that battled to a bonus point home win over Ayr last weekend.
Simon Humberstone and Kristian Baller will form a new half back partnership, likewise in the front row where Stuart Williams, Huw Dowden and WillGriff John will pack down together, lock Ryan Savage returns from injury, with Ed Siggery stepping in at blindside flanker.
Centre Gavin Dacey is back in club colours following a stint away with the Wales Sevens squad, and taking a place on the bench.
Pontypridd: 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Kristian Baller.
1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.WillGriff John. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Chris Dicomidis (capt)
Subs: Lewis Jones; Gavin Dacey; Tom Hetherington; Calum Thomas; Owen Sheppeard; Lewis Smout; Ken Knaggs.
