With only one league match played since the first week of December 2008, and that ending in defeat at Neath, Ponty will be eager to secure an important home win to project themselves up the premiership table.
Home form has been solid for Pontypridd this season, having won all seven league and cup games on their own patch, and the aim now will be to post another winning performance against the All Whites.
Swansea made the most of their own home advantage in the corresponding fixture at St Helens back in early October when they played the difficult conditions to good effect in gaining a 23pts to 7 victory.
A combination of injury and national selection has forced Pontypridd into making numerous changes, nine in all, from the starting line up that scored an emphatic cup win over Pontypool last time out.
Long term absentees Adam Thomas (shoulder), Lewis Williams (back) and Pat Palmer (abdominal muscle) are joined by full back Kristian Baller, out with a virus, and flanker Wayne O’Connor who pulled up in training with a shoulder strain. Hooker Rhys Williams was not considered at the bequest of the Wales under 20 squad management.
Lawrence Price reverts to the full back role for Ponty, with a revised half back pairing of Dai Flanagan and Andrew Jenkins. Huw Dowden is given a start at hooker, with Grant Harrington and Ryan Savage back in tandem in the second row and Geraint Lewis returning from injury to the blindside flank.
Pontypridd: 15.Lawrence Price. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Mike Davies. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Andrew Jenkins; 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Geraint Lewis. 7.Rhys Lloyd. 8.Nathan Strong (capt).
Subs: Matthew Hutchings; Gareth McCarthy; Rhys Downes; Sam Hobbs; Leighton Davies; Chris Dicomidis; Kristian Dacey
