With nigh on two months of the season remaining the encounter is in no way a title decider, but it will nonetheless have a significant bearing on the two clubs’ aspirations of at least hosting the Play-Off Finals and ultimately as contenders for the league crown.
Ponty currently hold the advantage of five points and a game in hand over the Steelmen of Gwent, and also have the bragging rights of two victories in the league and cup away to the same opponents earlier in the campaign. Ebbw Vale however have posted a serious intent to challenge for honours in their first season back in the top flight.
The clash of the top two backed by their respective fervent support promises to be one to savour.
There is a theme of continuity in the Pontypridd selection albeit with four changes made to the line-up that started in the home win over Llandovery last time out. Lewis I Williams returns on the wing, Bradley Thyer at loose head prop and Jake Thomas to the blind side flank. Blues lock Chris Dicomidis returns from an ankle injury and into the Ponty team.
Out of contention with recently incurred injuries are outside half Lewis K Williams with a knee strain and prop Pat Palmer with a bruised shoulder.
Pontypridd: 15.Aled Summerhill. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 11.Alex Webber. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Lewis Jones; 1.Bradley Thyer. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Owen Jenkins. 18.Matthew Nuthall. 19.Aled Morris. 20.Wayne O’Connor. 21.Luke Crocker. 22.James Howe. 23.Chris Phillips.
