The host team will be hoping to turn their fortunes around after losing their last two games. A tough loss against Worcester Warriors in the British & Irish Cup took its toll on the team, who then recorded a first Premiership loss of the season last Saturday at the Brewery Field as they faced a strong performance from Bridgend.
In contrast Aberavon will be on a high after two recent home league victories against Llandovery and Bedwas. The Wizards will be hoping to consolidate their success and avenge their home loss to Ponty by 17pts to 35 earlier in the season by taking a win away from the House of Pain on Saturday – a feat they haven’t achieved since 2011.
Pontypridd have a growing list of injuries to add to national and regional call-ups during the Six Nations campaign. On the sick list are full back Aled Summerhill (back), scrum half Joel Raikes (knee), prop Keiron Jenkins (calf), hooker Aled Morris (groin), lock Craig Locke (knee) and no8 Owen Sheppeard (knee). Scrum half Lloyd Williams is also absent having been invited to represent London Wasps in the LV Cup.
Centre Tom Isaacs and scrum half Lewis Jones are drafted in from the Blues senior squad, with young outside half Jarrod Evans making a welcome return to club action having been out injured since pre-season. In some positional changes, Gary Williams slots in at full back and Dan Godfrey moves up from the back row to the second row.
Pontypridd: 15.Gary Williams. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Tom Isaacs. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Dale Stuckey. 10.Jarrod Evans. 9.Lewis Jones; 1.James Howe. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Dan Godfrey. 5.Alex Jones. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Jake Thomas.
Subs: 16.Liam Free. 17.Simon Humberstone. 18.Gavin Dacey. 19.Tom Hetherington. 20.Dafi Davies. 21.Luke Crocker. 22.Chris Phillips.
