McIntosh has rotated his squad throughout the season and with the Sardis Road club still on for a league and cup double, competition for places in the final two games of the season has been fierce.
As runaway leaders of the Principality Premiership and having battled their way through some difficult rounds to the SWALEC Cup Final, Pontypridd have this season matured into a formidable unit under the guidance of McIntosh.
The dilemma for McIntosh and assistant coach Paul John this week has been how to narrow down a large squad into a match day 23.
“Team selection for the cup final has been a major headache” said McIntosh.
“We normally ponder on one or two key positions but this week there are five or six selections that are going down to the wire. We are engaged in deep discussion as coaches and this is the most difficult team selection I have made in my coaching career.
“Every player has made a huge contribution and we are asking the squad this week to understand the thought processes behind our selection and also, most importantly, that those chosen to play appreciate that they represent not only the club but also the remainder of the squad.”
Pontypridd may have had a season to remember but they are well aware of the threat posed by Neath. The Welsh All Blacks have had an inconsistent league season but boast a formidable cup pedigree, as well as being more than capable of defeating anyone on their day.
They are also able to call on a current Welsh squad member in winger Dafydd Howells.
“We appreciate that Neath will pose a very real threat to our ambition to reclaim the cup, they have experience in this competition and in a similar way to ourselves, have a real passion for the big occasion,” said McIntosh.
“We can draw from our experience in previous rounds of the competition, against Carmarthen Quins and in particular away to Ebbw Vale, where we had to draw on all our resources to battle through.
“Those experiences will have given us a realism of what is required to win, and we know against Neath that only our A game, played for the full 80 minutes plus, will give us any hope of claiming the trophy.”
Tickets for the SWALEC Finals day are just £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s with a family ticket for 2 adults, 2 children available at £20.
Tickets available from www.wru.co.uk/tickets; by calling Ticketmaster on 08442 777 888; from Ticketline, Westgate Street Cardiff tel 02920 230130; from the WRU store, 47 Westgate Street, Cardiff and from the finalist clubs.
SWALEC Finals Day line-up, Saturday 4 May:
1pm SWALEC Bowl Final Wattstown v Fishguard & Goodwick
3.15pm SWALEC Plate Final Rhydyfelin v Heol y Cyw
5.30pm SWALEC Cup Final Neath v Pontypridd
Keep an eye out on the WRU website tomorrow for a full preview of Saturday’s SWALEC Cup final.
