Having notched up one comprehensive win, at home to Swansea, and two narrow away defeats to Nottingham and Ulster in their qualifying games so far, Pontypridd know that a home win against Leeds is the basic requirement to secure progression from Pool 5 of the competition.
The agony of a last ditch, one point defeat to Ulster Ravens last weekend will be the motivation that Ponty need to spur them on to victory against Leeds, as explained by coach Dale McIntosh.
“The disappointment of our result against Ulster was hurtful, as we had put ourselves in a position to win the game but squandered the opportunity,” said McIntosh. “We owe it to ourselves and to our magnificent support who travelled to Belfast, to put things right with immediate effect.
“This is a tough competition, and it is hard to progress, but it is also proving to be a great experience for our squad. The higher the mountain, the greater the challenge and the motivation. Despite our current injury problems, we have the strength within our squad to be competitive and we certainly have the support to give us that extra push to victory.”
The latest injury victim amongst the Ponty ranks, having failed to recover from shoulder damage incurred against Ulster Ravens is lock Cory Hill. Already on the sick list were centre Adam Thomas, prop Stuart Williams, hooker Jack Dando, second row Craig Locke and back rowers Owen Sheppeard and Calum Thomas.
Outside half Simon Humberstone has yet to regain match fitness following a summer shoulder operation, and winger Owen Williams is away with the Wales Sevens squad.
Making a timely return from a groin strain to claim a place in the Ponty starting line up is young outside half Lewis K Williams – one of six changes, positional or in personnel from the team that started the game against Ulster.
Pontypridd 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Rhys Downes; 1.Ken Knaggs. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Ryan Savage. 5.Chris Dicomidis (Capt). 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Lewis Jones; Dean Gunter; Harley Thomson; Darran Harris; Jordan Sieniawski; Tom Hetherington; Pat Palmer.
