The two clubs have had contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues so far, with Ponty winning six out of six and Jersey losing six out of six, going down to defeat against formidable opponents in Cornish Pirates, Leeds, Moseley, Rotherham Titans, Bedford Blues and Nottingham.
Jersey’s squad has a strong Welsh presence including players with international experience, the likes of prop Ben Evans, centres David Bishop and Tom Cooper and scrum half Nick Griffiths.
Out of contention for Pontypridd are winger Owen Jenkins with ankle ligament damage, centre Gavin Dacey with a fractured hand, scrum half Gareth James with a hamstring strain and locks Dafydd Davies and Cory Hill with hamstring and shoulder strains respectively.
Full back Adam Thomas and flanker Rhys Shellard are away with the Wales Sevens squad, and scrum half Lewis Jones on senior duty with the Blues.
Having utilised a policy of squad rotation through the first six weeks of the season, Ponty again make nine changes from the starting line up that secured a home bonus point win over Swansea last Saturday.
Powerhouse centre Gary Williams claims a place in the team as does scrum half Carl Thomas having just returned from honeymoon. The key back row selection sees Ed Siggery retain the blind side flanker berth following his most recent man of the match display, with Wayne O’Connor returning as open side and Jake Thomas taking over the No 8 role.
Pontypridd: 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Dafydd Lockyer. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Carl Thomas; 1.Scott Roberts. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis (Capt) 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Jake Thomas.
Replacements: Joel Raikes; Lewis K Williams; Tom Pascoe; Darran Harris; Dan Godfrey; Keiron Jenkins; Jordan Sieniawski.
