The big match, which is Ponty’s last home pool game before travelling to London Scottish the following weekend, will be played at Sardis Road kicking off at 2:30pm.
The Valley Commandos will be going all out to replicate an emphatic bonus point win by 16pts to 42 in the corresponding game away to Connacht on 19th October.
Ponty lie second in pool 1, eight points adrift of leaders Bristol and battling for qualification as one of three best runners-up. Connacht are bottom placed with one win from their four games played.
Pontypridd make eight changes from the line-up that started in the away BIC defeat to Bristol last Sunday.
Returning to club action are winger Alex Webber from Wales Sevens duties, and full back Geraint Walsh and scrum half Tavis Knoyle from the senior Blues squad.
Looking forward to the Connacht encounter, Pontypridd team manager Richard Langmead commented: “In the context of the group rankings and qualification, this is a massive game for us.
“We have an opportunity to make amends for the two defeats against Bristol and to go all out for a bonus point win, ensuring that we can go into the last pool game against London Scottish with a chance of progressing.
“We are optimistic of our chances, knowing that our first objective is to put in a big performance, with the result to follow.”
Pontypridd 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Alex Webber. 13.Garyn Smith. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Owen Jenkins. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Tavis Knoyle;v1.Dillon Lewis. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Tau’ Filise. 4.Lou Reed. 5.Seb Davies. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Lewis K Williams. 18.Gavin Dacey. 19.Liam Belcher. 20.Luke Crocker. 21.Alex Jones. 22.Chris Phillips.
British & Irish Cup fixtures:
Pontypridd vs Connacht Eagles (KO 2.30pm)
Aberavon vs Rotherham Titans (KO 2.30pm)
Cross Keys vs Bedford Blues (KO 2.30pm)
Plymouth Albion vs Carmarthen Quins (KO 3pm)
