Three hard fought wins out of three have put the Sardis Road club top of the league table, if only on try count ahead of Carmarthen Quins. In contrast to Pontypridd’s 13 points so far this season, Newport have gathered just one, the Black and Ambers in 11th position with a solitary bonus point from their two games played.
A narrow home defeat to Llanelli last time out indicates that Newport have the potential to improve, and they come to Sardis Road knowing they were the only team to beat Pontypridd in the league last season. The Black and Ambers edged a close encounter 20-19 at Rodney Parade with indications that Pontypridd will again face a tough challenge on Sunday.
Dale McIntosh’s side is boosted by the return of Wales Sevens heroes Adam Thomas and Alex Webber, fresh from their tournament winning exploits in South Africa.
Summer recruits, prop James Howe, lock Lee Williams and flanker Luke Crocker are given an opportunity to impress in the starting line-up.
With two defeats out of two, Newport have had a disastrous start to the season. They did though have an improved showing against Llanelli last time out.
New signing Matt O’Brien retains the fly half spot having come on last week while hooker Dale Rogers makes his second consecutive start.
Pontypridd: 15 Adam Thomas 14 Alex Webber 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Gareth Wyatt 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Lloyd Williams, 1 James Howe 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Lee Williams 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Luke Crocker 7 Thomas Young 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Tom Williams, Dai Flanagan, Gary Williams, Rhys Williams, Tom Hetherington, Jordan Sieniawski, Lewis Jones, Stuart Williams.
Newport : G O’Driscoll, E Frewen, D Robinson, T Morgan, T James, M O’Brien, A Quick, D Pattison, D Rogers, A Jeffries, Adam Brown, A Frampton, S Waldron, C Attwell, L Beach (capt)
Replacements : J Jeune, G Robinson, N Williams, B Lampitt, J Leadbeater, E Davies, D Franchi, D Rosser
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