The two opposing clubs have never met in the competition, in which both have varying records of success. The Pirates were inaugural winners of the BIC in 2010 and have since reached the semi final stage in 2012 and the quarter final in 2013. Ponty were losing semi finalists in 2011 and quarter finalists in 2012.
Pontypridd come into their crunch BIC knock out match against the Pirates on the back of an emphatic 42pts to 10 home league win over Aberavon on the previous Tuesday evening, a result which kept them in the Premiership pole position.
Returning to club duties are winger Owen Jenkins and scrum half Tom Williams from Wales Sevens, and hooker Liam Belcher from Wales under 18 duty. Outside half Simon Humberstone is drafted in from the Blues senior squad and second row Miles Normandale from the Blues Academy, the latter to cover on the bench. Both featured in the midweek league win over Aberavon.
Ruled out by injury are wingers Chris Clayton and Aled Summerhill, hooker Huw Dowden, prop Pat Palmer, flanker Jake Thomas an No8 Owen Sheppeard.
Pontypridd: 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Garyn Smith. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Owen Jenkins. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Tom Williams; 1.James Howe. 2.Liam Belcher. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Jordan Sieniawski. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Dai Flanagan. 18.Matthew Nuthall. 19.Tom Hetherington. 20.Miles Normandale. 21.Luke Crocker. 22.Chris Phillips.
