Three teams are locked on 10 points at the top after two rounds of matches – Cardiff Met are the other one – as the race for promotion hots up.
ADMIRAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Bargoed v Beddau Bedwas v Narberth Glam Wands v Cardiff Met Pontypool v Neath Tata Steel v Ystalyfera Trebanos v Cross Keys Ystrad Rhondda v Maesteg Quins
“Both teams are stacked with history and have had a lot of games against each other. Both teams have similar game plans and are at a similar standard, so it’s going to be a big game,” admitted Pooler head coach Leighton Jones.
“They did a job on us down there last season and that has stuck in the boys’ throats. There is definitely a lot of interest in this game.”
Both teams go into the match with two bonus point wins behind them. Just as Pontypool will be using their defeat at The Gnoll last season as motivation, Neath won’t want to be on the end of another defeat at Pontypool Park.
Back row men Morgan Kneath and Dyfan Ceredig suffered injuries in last week’s 37-7 win by Neath over Bedwas. That means David Griggs comes in at No8 and Jacob Blackmore switches to the flank.
Prop Gareth Lloyd and lock Jon Barley return to the pack while Nicky Griffiths comes in at scrum-half. Former Wales cap Aled Brew plays on the wing for Neath, while Amose Nove makes his first appearance of the season opposite him in the home back division.
Former Ebbw Vale skipper Ashley Sweet will lead Pooler, who have former Dragons Dan Babos and Ewan Rosser on the bench.
Pontypool: Huw Anderson; Mathew Powell, Deon Smith, Joel Mahoney, Amosa Nove; Matthew Jarvis, Owain Leonard; Kelvyn Williams, Sam Scarfe, Peter Lloyd, Adam Brown, Ashley Sweet (captain), Cameron Regan, Callum Davies, Ieuan Jones Reps: Kyan Best, Tom Piper, Michael Herbert, Dan Babos, Ewan Rosser
Neath: Lewis Evans; Ryan Griffiths, Ryan Evans (captain), Ben Atkins, Aled Brew; Steff Williams, Nicky Griffiths; Gareth Lloyd, Josh Clark, Tim Ryan, Sam Langford, Jon Barley, Jacob Blackmore, Owain Morgan, David Griggs Reps: Sion Crocker, Jack Powell, Sam Martin, Macauley Griffiths, Aaron Bramwell
