Wins at Carmarthen Quins, Swansea and Aberavon have seen the Welsh All Blacks in improved form of late but they know it will take a supreme effort if they are to make it four in a row.
They have named an unchanged side from that which won 22-7 at Aberavon on Boxing Day although new signing winger Bowdy Davies, who was Llanelli’s top try-scorer with 11 last season, may come in for Kevin James.
Coach Patrick Horgan said: “The team performed well at Aberavon and we were pleased to record a win in a fixture which means so much to the supporters.
“But Pontypridd will be another step up, probably the toughest ask in Premiership rugby at the moment and in recent games there, the home crowd’s influence has been worth two scores to them.
“We are expecting a very heavy pitch at Sardis Road but we have huge respect for them and know we will have to be at our best if we are to repeat our success there of last season.”
As for Ponty, they will be relishing a return to Premiership action and haven’t played in the league since their win away to Llandovery on November 30.
Their Christmas clashes with Carmarthen and Cardiff were both washed out and Dale McIntosh’s side should be raring to go.
At the end of September, Pontypridd hit top form to record a 15-64 away win at The Gnoll and will be hoping for a similar result this weekend.
Winger Lewis Williams is the latest long term injury victim at Sardis Road, requiring surgery to rectify a damaged shoulder. Already sidelined were fellow wing Owen Jenkins, centres Gavin Dacey and Tom Pascoe, scrum half Gareth James and prop Pat Palmer. Flanker Wayne O’Connor is serving a one match ban following his sending off against Leeds.
In mixing and matching selection for the Neath game, Pontypridd offer seasonal debuts to three players. Outside half Simon Humberstone and hooker Jack Dando return from long term injury while scrum half Lloyd Williams is given a start on permit from Treorchy. Another potential debutant sits on the bench in the form of Wales Sevens winger Alex Webber, drafted in from Ystrad Rhondda.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Chris Clayton 13 Adam Thomas 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Lloyd Williams, 1 Scott Roberts 2 Jack Dando 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Cory Hill 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jake Thomas 7 Rhys Shellard 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Carl Thomas, Dai Flanagan, Alex Webber, Huw Dowden, Craig Locke, Ed Siggery, Chris Phillips, Bradley Thyer.
Neath: 15 Aaron Bramwell 14 Kevin James (or Bowdy Davies) 13 Ryan Evans 12 John Leyshon 11 Dafydd Howells 10 Dean Cummins 9 Chris Morgans; 1 Nicky Downs 2 Rhodri Clancy 3 Marc Jones 4 Rhys Jones 5 Jonny Griffiths 6 Lee Evans (c) 7 Lee Beach 8 Steffan Jones.
Replacements: Owain Ford, Alun Wyn Davies, TBC, Jordan Collier, Lloyd Phillips, David Langdon, Luc Jones.
