A tumble from second to fifth position was Ponty’s fate due to their inactivity on Wednesday evening, with Llanelli, Cross Keys and Bedwas all leapfrogging them. Ponty however remain just two points adrift of league leaders Llanelli with a game in hand.
With a perfect record in the league so far this season, Pontypridd will be going all out for a home win against a Bridgend team who have had a far more lacklustre start to their campaign.
A policy of squad rotation is again utilised by Pontypridd, with scrum half Carl Thomas, flanker Tom Hetherington and lock Dafydd Davies all making their first starts of the season.
Club stalwarts Dai Flanagan and No. 8 Dan Godfrey will be making their 100th appearance for Ponty while Simon Humberstone (groin), lock Cory Hill (shoulder) and prop Keiron Jenkins (calf) are all out injured.
Wing Owen Jenkins, centre Adam Thomas and flanker Rhys Shellard are all on duty with Wales Sevens.
Following three successive defeats, Bridgend face a difficult challenge against last season’s champions with head coach Ben Rose expected to make a number of changes as the hectic schedule takes its toll on his squad.
The Ravens made a hugely promising start to the season with a win over Llanelli at Brewery Field although that high has been countered by three 30 point defeats at Cross Keys, Llandovery and most recently at home to Cardiff.
And Bridgend captain Jonathon Vaughan knows his side face a tough game against Dale McIntosh’s men.
“We all know the challenge that is coming on Saturday,” he said.
“Sardis Road is the hardest place to go in this league and get a result but it’s the sort of challenge we want as a squad. The game on Saturday will really show where we are as a squad. This is our benchmark and we are not going there to make up the numbers.”
Vaughan’s team mate Arthur Ellis is also excited about the prospect of facing the champions in their own back yard.
“I am massively looking forward to the challenge at Sardis Road. It is perhaps the one you highlight as the hardest game in terms of getting points out of the game,” he said.
“On a personal level, you want to play against the best and as Pontypridd were champions last season, we know it’s a tough challenge and it’s one we are looking forward to.
“Hopefully, we have learnt a lot about ourselves in the last week and we need to bounce back from Wednesday’s disappointment with a performance.”
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Lewis I Williams 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer (c) 11 Owen Williams 10.Dai Flanagan 9 Carl Thomas, 1 Scott Roberts 2 Darran Harris 3 Pat Palmer 4 Craig Locke 5 Dafydd Davies 6 Ed Siggery 7 Tom Hetherington 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Gareth James, Gareth Wyatt, Tom Pascoe, Huw Dowden, Jake Thomas, Chris Dicomidis, Stuart Williams, Chris Phillips.
Bridgend: TBA
