Merthyr could climb as high as third in the Indigo Premiership if they can make it four wins in a row when they host Pontypridd on the eve of the Wales v England match.
The Ironmen beat Aberavon 38-31 at home last weekend and now get the chance to leapfrog the Wizards and jump into the play-off places for the first time in a long while if results go their way.
Their recent wins over Aberavon and second placed Llandovery have marked out Rowland Phillips’ side as title candidates and a double over struggling Ponty would merely add more momentum to their cause.
The champions for three years in a row from 20-17 to 2019, Merthyr have grown under Phillips’ guidance since he took over from Dale McIntosh at the start of the season as head coach. Their defence has become much harder to break down and they have broaden out their approach.
Meanwhile, a few miles down the A470, things have simply got tougher and tougher for Pontypridd. Gareth Wyatt has stepped into the head coach role, with Justin Burnell still very much in the picture, and their 27-10 win at Aberavon last month looked like being a turning point for them.
Since then, though, they have lost by a point at Llandovery, 20-19, and were beaten 23-20 at Sardis Road by Carmarthen Quins last weekend. That saw them fall to 10th in the 12 team league, with Bridgend, one point and one place below them, having two games in hand.
Pontypridd were once the power in the land, winning four titles in a row from 2012-15. Then then lost their crown at home to Ebbw Vale the next season.
They still have a shot at the WRU Premier Cup, with a semi-final clash against Newport to come at the Brewery Field on 25 March, but that’s really all they’ve got to aim at this season.
Carmarthen Quins will be hoping to keep their winning run going after they made it three away triumphs in a row at Sardis Road last weekend. They welcome Aberavon to Carmarthen Park and are finally playing with confidence and to their potential.
The return of stalwart lock Haydn Pugh last week after a lengthy injury added both steel and experience to their forward effort. At long last new head coach Marc Jones seems to be getting his message across.
The bottom two sides, Bridgend and Llanelli clash at the Brewery Field, with the visitors seeking a first win since 29 October, when they ran out 31-29 winners at Pontypridd.
The bottom two sides, Bridgend and Llanelli clash at the Brewery Field, with the visitors seeking a first win since 29 October, when they ran out 31-29 winners at Pontypridd.
