A combination of time taken out for British & Irish Cup duties, and two recent away defeats to Llanelli and Aberavon, offset by the one home win over Cardiff, has seen Ponty pegged back in fourth position in the league table.
Home advantage will be a bonus for a team eager to get back to winning ways against a Tonmawr side rooted to the bottom of the table. It was in the first game of the season back in early September that Pontypridd secured a win away against the same opponents by 6-46.
Facing a run of crucial league and cup games into the new year, the Ponty coaches have made numerous changes on rotation amongst the playing squad. A policy of giving youth its opportunity is prevalent with Harley Thomson drafted in at full back, James Howe at prop, Darran Harris at hooker and Jordan Sieniawski continuing in the second row.
Outside half Simon Humberstone makes a first start of the season having recovered fully from his summer shoulder operation.
Pontypridd: 15.Harley Thomson. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Dafydd Lockyer. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Lewis Jones; 1.James Howe. 2.Darran Harris. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Jordan Sieniawski. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey (Capt)
Replacements: Rhys Downes; Lewis K Williams; Gareth Wyatt; Huw Dowden; Owen Sheppeard; Calum Thomas; Chris Phillips.
