Both Ponty and the Keys had been preoccupied with the BIC, but enjoying contrasting fortunes, the former qualifying as best runners-up from a tough Pool 1 but the latter failing to make it out of Pool 4. On the previous weekend Pontypridd battled to a 17-25 away win at London Scottish whilst Cross Keys succumbed to a hefty 54-0 defeat at Doncaster.
The Premiership table sees Pontypridd maintain pole position despite their inactivity in the competition whilst Cross Keys trail behind in fifth place, but surely boosted by their last result a month ago, when they posted a 20-15 home win over title challengers Carmarthen Quins.
Ponty make numerous changes in personnel, no fewer than 14 from the team that started against London Scottish last time out. There are welcome returns from injury for No8 Owen Sheppeard and prop Pat Palmer, the latter coming on to the bench for his first involvement this season after a shoulder operation.
Flanker Ellis Jenkins resumes club duties after a spell playing for the Blues.
Pontypridd 15 Aled Summerhill 14 Chris Clayton 13 Garyn Smith 12 Gavin Dacey 11 Owen Jenkins 10 Lewis K Williams 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Chris Phillips 2 Huw Dowden 3 Dillon Lewis 4 Craig Locke 5 Alex Jones 6 Luke Crocker 7 Ellis Jenkins 8 Owen Sheppeard.
Subs: 16 Simon Humberstone 17 Dafydd Lockyer 18.Geraint Walsh 19 Aled Morris 20 Tom Hetherington 21 Jordan Sieniawski 22 Bradley Thyer 23 Pat Palmer.
