The downtime has given the Ponty squad time to reflect on their first defeat of the season, away to Newport last time out. The club lies in third place in the league table but with a game or games in hand over others. A return to winning ways against the Wizards will be a high priority.
Aberavon themselves occupy an unaccustomed eleventh position in the table having won one and drawn one of their nine games played.
Ponty’s list of injury absentees include winger Owen Jenkins (ankle), outside half Simon Humberstone (groin), scrum-half Gareth James (hamstring), hooker Jack Dando (shoulder), prop Pat Palmer (shoulder) and second row Craig Locke (ankle).
Making a comeback from a broken hand is centre Gavin Dacey who takes a place amongst the replacements alongside brother Kristian, the hooker drafted in from the Blues senior squad.
Promising young scrum-half Joel Raikes will make a first start for Ponty on permit from Ynysybwl whilst another Blues Academy member, prop Bradley Thyer from Beddau covers on the bench.
Pontypridd team manager Richard Langmead is hopeful that the recent break from action will not deter his squad from going all out for a crucial win at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
“We have tried to keep the boys fresh, introducing new training routines which have been enjoyable” said Langmead.
“We have trained well in the week and must now carry that momentum into the match itself.
“A visit to Aberavon is always a hard task, they are a strong unit who have power up front and plenty of guile amongst the backs.
Their league position is a false one and they will again prove to be formidable opponents, especially on their own patch where we rarely manage to get a result.
“We will approach the game in positive mood, refreshed, and determined to gain a win to keep in touch at the top of the Premiership.”
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Owen Williams 13 Adam Thomas 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Dai Flanagan 9 Joel Raikes, 1 Stuart Williams 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Jordan Sieniawski 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Rhys Shellard 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Carl Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Gavin Dacey, Kristian Dacey, Jake Thomas, Ed Siggery, Scott Roberts, Bradley Thyer.
Aberavon: 15 Ricky Thomas 14 Richard Carter 13 Richard Thomas 12 Matthew Jenkins 11 Stef Andrews 10 Craig Evans 9 Joe Heatley, 1 Neil White 2 Ieuan Davies 3 Chris John 4 Rhydian Gierat 5 Ian Moore 6 Chris Davies 7 Joe Tomalin Reeves 8 Ben Thomas. Replacements: John Phillips, Jamie Davies/Paul Bamsey, Nathan Brown, Gareth Harve/Evan Yardley, Andrew Clatworthy, Rowan Jenkins/L Howells, Gavin Ronan, Richard Morris.
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