Both sides head into the game with a 100 per cent record so far this season. Pontypridd lead the Premiership table following two home wins over Bedwas and Bridgend while Keys have impressed both in pre-season and at the start of this campaign. Greg Woods’ side swept all before them in their pre-season fixtures before beating Newport and Bedwas to reach the pool stages of the British & Irish Cup.
While Keys, and new backs coach Morgan Stoddart, have enjoyed a solid start to the season, Pontypridd have not been at their best despite having two wins from two on the board.
Head coach Dale McIntosh was far from happy with his side’s performance against the Ravens on Wednesday night, Pontypridd reliant on a last gasp Gavin Dacey try to secure the win.
Gearing up for what is traditionally an abrasive and competitive contest at Pandy Park, Pontypridd skipper Chris Dicomidis knows his team must up the ante to have any chance of coming away with a result.
“It will be a huge challenge to take on Cross Keys on their own patch but one which we are looking forward to,” he said.
“We anticipate a physical encounter against formidable opponents who should be there or there about when the honours are dished out at the end of the season. We respect them and will take a strong side to Pandy Park hopefully to get the job done.
“We have notched up three wins out of three but are not entirely happy with our performances. If we have any ambition of retaining the league crown then we have to improve, and Cross Keys will be a good place to test that ambition.”
McIntosh again makes a number of changes to his side with the experienced Simon Humberstone, Dan Godfrey and Wayne O’Connor all returning to the XV.
Last season saw Keys host Pontypridd on the opening day of the season with the home side coming off second best in a 28-3 defeat. Dean Gunter kicked Keys’ only points that day with an early penalty.
In the return fixture at Sardis Road in November, Keys performed well but still found Ponty too tough a nut to crack with the home side victorious 37-24. As they aim to stay unbeaten, Woods has made a total of seven changes from the side which started the win over Swansea.
Elliot Jones, Aled James and Rhys Dyer come into the backline whilst up front, Darren Hughes starts his first game for the club. He is joined in the pack by Ollie Hodge, Rhys Peebles and Adam Powell.
Cross Keys: 15 Aaron Bramwell 14 Elliot Jones 13 Leon Andrews (c) 12 Aled James 11 Nathan Trowbridge 10 Angus O’Brien 9 Rhys Dyer, 1 Richard Cornock 2 Darren Hughes 3 Nathan Buck 4 Danny Hodge 5 Ollie Hodge 6 Rhys Peebles 7 Scott Matthews 8 Adam Powell.
Replacements: Gerwyn Price, Anthony Lott, Craig Gould, Thomas Lampard, Ciaran Driscoll, Phillip Williams, Ryan James, Reuben Tucker.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Aled Summerhill 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Tom Williams, 1 Stuart Williams 2 Rhys Williams 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jake Thomas 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Lloyd Williams, Dai Flanagan, Gareth Wyatt, Huw Dowden, Thomas Young, Lee Williams, James Howe, Lewis Jones.
