The status that Ponty will go all out to preserve is that of top team in the division as the season reaches its half way point in terms of games played.
A run of four straight wins have helped Ponty maintain pole position, whilst Newport of late have fallen off the pace and now lie in sixth position, nineteen points adrift of Pontypridd.
The powerful Black and Ambers will pose no less a threat to Ponty as they seek to get their campaign back on track and also to avenge defeat in the reverse fixture at Rodney Parade just three weeks previously.
Pontypridd make many changes in selection following their fine away win at Swansea last Saturday.
Out injured or ill are centre Gavin Dacey, suffering a reaction to his recent knee operation, scrum half Garyn Lucas with bronchitis, and flanker Wayne O’Connor with a fractured sternum.
Lewis Jones is given a start at scrum half, partnering Dean Gunter, with Blues Academy trio, prop Lewis Smout, lock Cory Hill and no8 Owen Sheppeard coming into the pack. Captain Chris Dicomidis reverts from the back row to the second row.
Pontypridd: 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Lewis Jones; 1.Lewis Smout. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ken Knaggs. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Owen Sheppeard.
Replacements: Kristian Baller; Simon Humberstone; Chris Clayton; Kristian Dacey; Matthew Skreech; Jake Thomas; Chris Phillips.
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