Setting out in defence of their status as Premiership champions, Ponty enjoyed a comprehensive 32-68 away win at Llanelli the previous weekend, whilst Bridgend put in a battling performance before going down by 8-20 at home to Ebbw Vale.
Motivation should not be in short supply for Pontypridd going into this fixture, as the Ravens consigned them to their only league defeat of the previous season at the Brewery Field, then wrenched the SWALEC Cup from their grasp in the final tie at the Millennium Stadium in May.
There is a theme of continuity in Ponty’s selection policy, retaining most of the squad who started or came off the bench in the big win at Llanelli. Coming back into the reckoning is centre Gavin Dacey, recovered from a calf strain, whilst experienced outside half Ceri Sweeney makes a first competitive start for the club to which he returned from Exeter over the summer.
Huw Dowden claims the hooker’s berth, with Ashleigh James who captained the Ravens last season, dropping to the bench.
A lot has changed at the Ravens since that historic day at the Millennium Stadium, with Mike Hook now in sole charge and a raft of new players.
Bridgend stick largely with the XV which faced the Steelmen, but there are two changes to the youthful starting line-up. Second row, Rhodri Hughes makes his first start of the campaign and Liam Jenkins starts in place of Nicky Boyce.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Alex Webber 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Bradley Thyer 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Seb Davies 5 Chris Dicomidis 6 Jake Thomas 7 Rhys Shellard 8 Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16 Joel Raikes 17 Lewis K Williams 18 Gary Williams 19 Ashleigh James 20 Hemi Barnes 21 Jordan Sieniawski 22 Kieran Assirratti 23 Corey Domachowski
Bridgend Ravens: 15 Marc Bennett 14 Dai Evans 13 Morgan Jones 12 Joe Gatt 11 Mike Powell 10 Ryan Evans 9 Will Baird; 1 Liam Jenkins 2 Dale Rogers 3 Cai Lewis 4 Ashton Evans 5. Rhodri Hughes 6. Adam O’Driscoll 7. Zac O’Driscoll (captain) 8 Ifreiemi Boladau
Subs: 16 Iestyn Merriman 17 Nicky Boyce 18 Chris Davies 19 Scott Hicks 20 Craig Moses 21 Geraint Watkin 22 Joseph Scrivens 23 Ryan Griffiths
