Pontypridd are two league points above Aberavon and also have a game in hand, whilst the Wizards are tied on league points with second placed Ebbw Vale and third placed Llandovery.
The Sardis Road side has won 11 of their 15 league games this season. They started their league campaign winning their first six games, including a 40-16 win over Aberavon at Sardis Road back in October. However, after that win over the Wizards, Pontypridd then lost four of their next five games as they lost to Cross Keys (22 – 24), Ebbw Vale (18 – 26), Bridgend (12 – 30) and Bedwas (8 – 22).
Since that loss to Bedwas at the end of November, the Sardis Road side have played four further league games winning all four as they’ve seen off Llanelli (38 – 6), Cardiff (18 – 8), Carmarthen Quins (28 – 16) and, last weekend, Llandovery (18 – 12).
The Wizards are looking to get back to winning ways against Pontypridd after losing their previous two consecutive games. Wizards back row, Chris Davies said: “All we have to play for now is the league, every effort, every thought from each player involved at the club will be focused on making sure that Aberavon are in the play-offs come the final whistle of the season”.
Wales U20s player, Joe Gage, is selected at fullback and will be looking for a big game.
Recent casualties amongst the Ponty squad are winger Lewis Williams with a groin strain, centre Gary Williams with stitches to the eye and hooker Ashleigh James with a neck strain. Scrum half Joel Raikes has been given leave of absence, awaiting the birth of twins.
Drafted into the Ponty squad are centre Garyn Smith and scrum half Lewis Jones from the Blues senior squad, and hooker Ethan Coombes from Beddau, who impressed on his debut in the SWALEC Cup victory over Bridgend Athletic midweek.
Aberavon: 1 .Joe Gage 14 Jay Baker 13 Matthew Jenkins 12 Cameron Clement 11 Stef Andrews 10 James Garland 9 David Pritchard; 1 Rowan Jenkins 2 Ieuan Davies 3 John Thomas 4 Ian Moore (Capt) 5 Ben Davies 6 Lee Purnell 7 Joe Tomalin-Reeves 8 Chris Davies.
Subs: 16.Jacob Flynn 17 Richard Carter 18 David Evans 19 Gareth Harvey 20 Rob Dudley-Jones 21 Mike Burgess 22 Gareth Harvey 23 Ben Jones.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Chris Clayton 13 Garyn Smith 12 Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 11 Alex Webber 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lewis Jones; 1 Chris Phillips 2 Huw Dowden 3.Keiron Assiratti 4 Hemi Barnes 5 Chris Dicomidis 6 Wayne O’Connor 7 Rhys Shellard 8 Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16 Lloyd Williams 17 Lewis K Williams 18 Matthew Nuthall 19 Ethan Coombes 20 Jake Thomas 21 Josh Novell 22 Jordan Grass 23 Mitch Auger.
