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Premiership preview

Premiership preview

International action may be in full swing but there are still two key encounters in the Principality Premiership on Saturday.

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At the Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon host Bridgend in what promises to be a hotly contested Ospreys derby between two struggling sides.

With the teams in twelfth and ninth place respectively, there is plenty to play for though with the Wizards having two games in hand on the Ravens, a home win would be a big moment for homr fans.

Earlier this season, Bridgend won an open tie at the Brewery Field 34-16, thanks to two tries from Tom Grabham. Their other encounter this season was a British & Irish Cup qualifying game which went the way of the Wizards at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

This time around, Bridgend head coach Ben Rose has selected Ross Jones at full back, the Ospreys man joined in the back three by Grabham and Ashley Evans, who scored twice against Pontypridd last Friday.

Nathan Edwards and Adam Williams make up the centre partnership with James Dixon and Chris Williams continuing at half back. Scott Hicks remains at No. 8 while Jac Hopkins comes back into the side to alongside Owain Lloyd in the back row. Alex Jones captains the side from second row, with Shaun O’Rourke making his long awaited return to partner him at lock. The front row remains the same with Cai Lewis and Gary Carpenter either side of Ashleigh James.

While Bridgend pick most of the same side which faced Pontypridd last week, it’s all change for Aberavon. Ex-Ravens coach Craig Warlow and head coach Simon King have both left the club with former Wizard Jason Hyatt taking over.
Under a new boss, Aberavon will be desperate to impress and even at this early stage, both sides will have their eyes on Premiership survival for next season.

In the other game to take place tomorrow, Pontypridd complete their final game in hand as they travel to Bedwas for an 11.30am kick off.

A bonus point win would reinstate Pontypridd as league leaders, moving them back above Carmarthen Quins though Bedwas themselves will be hoping to move on up from their current eighth place.

The two sides met earlier this season with Pontypridd claiming a bonus point home win.

Pontypridd welcome back wing pairing Chris Clayton and Owen Williams from injury lay-offs, and give youngsters Owen Sheppeard and Jordan Sieniawski a starting opportunity in the back row.

Hooker Aled Morris makes a senior debut for the club, having come off the bench in the previous match away to Bridgend. With outside half Simon Humberstone continuing on senior Blues duty, regional academy player Jack Maynard is drafted in as replacement cover.

TEAMS: 

Aberavon: 15 Jonathan Phillips 14 Richard Carter 13 Richard Thomas 12 Will Price 11 Mike Powell 10 Jamie Davies 9 Dan Davies, 1 Rowan Jenkins 2 Ieuan Davies 3 Anthony Edwards 4 Ian Moore 5 Gavin Ronan 6 Darryl Thomas 7 Ben Thomas 8 Chris Davies.
Replacements: Joe Heatley, Aaron Jones, Matthew Jenkins, Darryl Harvey, Lee Purnell, Rhydian Gierat, Chris John, Neil White.

Bridgend: 15 Ross Jones 14 Tom Grabham 13 Nathan Edwards 12 Adam Williams 11 Ashley Evans
10 James Dixon 9 Chris Williams, 1 Gary Carpenter 2 Ashleigh James 3 Cai Lewis 4 Alex Jones (c) 5 Shaun O’Rourke 6 Owain Lloyd 7 Jac Hopkins 8 Scott Hicks.
Replacements: Greg George, Jon Bamsey, Jon Thomas, Olly Edwards, Lloyd Evans, Ryan Evans, Owen Howe, Luke Morgan.

Bedwas: 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Rory Budina 13 Daniel Dearden 12 Scott Williams-Greenway 11 TBC 10 Harley Thomson 9 Rhys Downes, 1 Matthew Pettit 2 Rhys Hutcherson 3 Joseph Mills 4 Phillip Rees 5 James Thomas 6 Daniel Crimmins 7 Simon Grainger (c) 8 Deri Mattravers.
Replacements: Matthew Phelps, Daniel Preece, Richard Wilkes, Kyle Maiden, James Sawyer, Tom Edwards, TBC, Lewis-Jon Hudd.

Pontypridd: 15 Adam Thomas 14 Chris Clayton 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Dafydd Lockyer 11 Owen Williams 10 Dai Flanagan 9 Joel Raikes, 1 James Howe 2 Aled Morris 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jordan Sieniawski 7 Rhys Shellard 8 Owen Sheppeard.
Replacements: Lloyd Williams, Jack Maynard, Geraint Walsh, Wayne O’Connor, Lee Williams, Tom Hetherington, Lewis Jones, Chris Phillips.

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