The two clubs will meet each other twice within the short space of four days as the re-arranged return league tie will be played the following Tuesday evening 1st of April. Yet another encounter is in the offing in the SWALEC Cup semi final round on Saturday 12th April.
Under a new coaching team of Jason Hyatt and Barry Maddocks Aberavon have enjoyed a recent resurgence to pull clear of the relegation zone, currently placed tenth in the Premiership table.
Pontypridd come into the game on a high following a 55pts to 15 demolition of Llanelli in the cup quarter final the previous weekend. Four changes are made to the starting line up from that game, with Owen Williams in on the wing, Chris Phillips at prop, Tom Hetherington at hooker and Owen Sheppeard at blind side flanker. Hooker Liam Belcher returns from Wales under 18 duty to take a place on the bench.
Away with Wales Sevens in Hong Kong are winger Alex Webber and scrum half Tom Williams, whilst winger Lewis Williams has been given leave of absence to get married and has taken prop James Howe with him.
Pontypridd: 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Garyn Smith. 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Lloyd Williams. 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Jordan Sieniawski. 6.Owen Sheppeard. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16.Joel Raikes. 17.Gareth Wyatt. 18.Gary Williams. 19.Liam Belcher. 20.Wayne O’Connor. 21.James Cashin. 22.Lewis Jones.
