With a number of games still to be re-scheduled, Pontypridd now have games in hand on all other teams in the division, and will need to make the most of those opportunities to rise from their relatively lowly position of seventh in the table.
As they return to the fray against the Steel-men of Gwent – a team two positions below them – Ponty will have to contend with a swathe of injuries as they chase maximum points from a tough encounter.
Long standing absentees, winger Chris Clayton, lock Ryan Savage and flanker Kristian Dacey, with abdominal, thigh and knee injuries respectively, are still sidelined, and have now been joined by another four players on the sick list.
Centre Lawrence Price and hooker Huw Dowden were both injured playing for Welsh Academicals midweek, the former with a hamstring strain and the latter with shoulder damage. Also out of contention are full back Matthew Hutchings with an infected hand in plaster and prop Stuart Williams with a hamstring twinge.
The sum of Ponty’s absentees is made up by centre Gavin Dacey and outside half Dai Flanagan, both away with the Wales Sevens squad in Hong Kong.
Drafted in on permit from Aberdare is young utility back Gary Williams, whilst wingers Owen and Lewis Williams and outside half Gareth McCarthy make a welcome return from recent injury. Also back in the frame are scrum half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams, both returning to club duties from the Wales under 20 squad.
The Pontypridd team selected to face Ebbw Vale is as follows:
15.Kristian Baller. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Mike Davies. 11.Lewis Williams. 10.Gareth McCarthy. 9.Rhys Downes.
1.Sam Hobbs. 2.Leighton Davies. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Geraint Lewis. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.
Subs: Andrew Jenkins; Gary Williams; Rhys Lloyd; Chris Martenko; Rhys Williams; Pat Palmer; Owen Cotton.
