Pontypridd lie in fourth position in the Principality Premiership table, contesting a second or third final placing with four other clubs, in what is turning out to be a real dogfight to finish as runners up to newly crowned champions Neath. And a morale boosting victory at Sardis Road will be crucial to setting up a successful end to the season.
Ponty’s opponents Maesteg lie at the opposite end of the table, fighting it out with Llandovery to stay in the premier division, so with everything to play for themselves. Home advantage, for the last time this season, will be key to Ponty’s quest to secure maximum points from a tough test.
Having played four competitive matches within the last twelve days, the Ponty squad has been feeling the strain in terms of injury and general wear and tear. Sidelined for the Maesteg match are scrum half Rhys Downes, prop Ryan Harford, and flanker Lee Evans.
There are seven changes made to the line-up which started the last match for Ponty against Bridgend, with a policy of squad rotation to give players some respite. Centre Gavin Dacey returns from injury, and prop Sam Hobbs from Wales U20’s squad training, with Neil Burnett reclaiming the outside half berth.
Pontypridd: Lawrence Price; Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Adam Thomas, Trystan Lazarus; Neil Burnett, Andrew Jenkins; Stuart Williams, Duane Goodfield, Sam Hobbs, Ryan Savage, Grant Harrington, Geraint Lewis, Rhys Shellard, Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements: Matthew Hutchings, Tom Riley, Kristian Baller, Ian Poley, Rhys Williams, Chris Dicomidis, Wayne O’Connor
