In the corresponding fixture last year, Pontypridd enjoyed a high scoring 55-27 win. The league double was completed towards the end of the campaign in another free flowing encounter at the Bridge Field which Pontypridd won by 26-48.
With three league games to be played within seven days – a home tie against Bridgend on Wednesday evening and an away trip to Cross Keys on Saturday to follow, Pontypridd are already rotating their team allowing players rest and recovery.
Ten changes are made from the line-up that started the British & Irish Cup qualifier against Cardiff with competitive debuts given to centre Aled Summerhill, lock Lee Williams and flanker Luke Crocker.
“We’ve a strong side out on Saturday given Bedwas’ success from last year,” said Pontypridd head coach Dale McIntosh.
“Dai Flanagan gets his first start of the season as well Alex Webber on the wing who seems to be exciting the crowd.
“We’re at the top of the ladder and there’ll be people looking to chop us down. We understand that from the magnitude of our success but if we’re honest with ourselves then we should be there or there abouts.”
Bedwas make the short trip to Sardis Road with a number of changes themselves.
Behind the scrum only Stuart Thomas, Scott Williams, Richard Powell and Rhys Downes retain their places with Will Harries on permit from the Dragons making his Bedwas debut on the right wing. Liam Gadd takes over at outside centre in place of Harley Thomson and Steve Cullen makes his debut on the left wing in place of Elliot Jones.
Up front, head coach Steve Law shuffles his front row options with Matt Pettit starting at tight head prop, Elliot Dee returns from injury to take over at hooker and Aaron Coundley comes in at loose head prop.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Alex Webber 13 Aled Summerhill 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Owen Jenkins 10 Dai Flanagan 9 Lloyd Williams, 1 Stuart Williams 2 Rhys Williams 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Lee Williams 5 Chris Dicomidis 6 Luke Crocker 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Tom Williams, Simon Humberstone, Adam Thomas, Huw Dowden, Rhys Shellard, Craig Locke, James Howe, Lewis Jones.
Bedwas: 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Will Harries 13 Liam Gadd 12 Scott Williams 11 Steve Cullen 10 Richard Powell 9 Rhys Downes, 1 Aaron Coundley 2 Elliot Dee 3 Matthew Pettit 4 Luke Connolly 5 Craig Lodge 6 James Thomas 7 Phil Rees 8 James Sawyer.
Replacements: Joe Mills, Dan Preece, Richard Wilkes, Kyle Maiden, Simon Grainger, Tom Edwards, Andy Humberstone, Elliot Jones
