The local rivals go head-to-head in the cup in this derby clash at the Y Wern ground Merthyr, kicking off at 2:30pm.
Merthyr have a number of former Ponty players in their ranks – the likes of Neil Burnett, Ryan Harris, Matthew Rees and Rhys James – and with former centre Paul Matthews as one of their coaching staff.
Familiarity will certainly not breed contempt in a one-off cup tie with Pontypridd well aware of the need to show the utmost respect to their division one east hosts.
Pontypridd once more make a raft of changes from the line up which started in their hard fought away league win at Cardiff midweek. Merthyr boy Gavin Dacey takes over the captaincy in midfield where he will partner powerhouse centre Gary Williams.
Blues Academy youngsters, prop WillGriff John and no8 Owen Sheppeard are given their opportunity, with dynamic flanker Darren Waters returning to the fray.
Merthyr: TBC
Pontypridd: 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey – cpt. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Kristian Baller. 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.WillGriff John. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Owen Sheppeard.
Subs: Garyn Lucas; Simon Humberstone; Dafydd Lockyer; Tom Hetherington; Wayne O’Connor; Chris Dicomidis; Chris Phillips.
Swansea v Newport
Swansea: TBC
Newport: 1) Dai Pattison, 2) Andrew Brown, 3) Gethin Robinson 4) Dafydd Rosser, 5) Alex Jones (capt|), 6) Adam Frampton, 7) Craig Hill, 8) Hugo Ellis, 9) James Leadbeater, 10) Gareth Bowen, 11) Matthew Pewtner, 12) Scott Williams, 13) Nathan Brew, 14) Owen Broad, 15) Alan Awcock
Reps : 16) Arthur Ellis, 17) Ian Evans, 18) Mike Leaman, 19) Dan McShane, 20) Lewis Robling, 21) Chris Wannell, 22) Charlie Simpson
Tonmawr v Llandovery
Tonmawr: TBC
Llandovery: TBC
Cardiff v Aberavon (Sunday)
The Principality Premiership side’s conclude the weekend’s knock-out action, meeting at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.
Cardiff have reached the Quarter Final stage by beating Beddau and Bridgend in previous rounds, while the Wizards have beaten Bedlinog and Waunarlwydd.
The clubs have met seven times before in the WRU Cup with Cardiff leading the series by four wins to three. Cardiff have won the Cup seven times and have been runners-up on another four occasions, while Aberavon have been runners-up twice. In the Principality Premiership this season the Wizards have beaten the Blue & Blacks twice, winning 28 – 26 at the Arms Park back in September, and 27 – 14 at the Talbot Athletic Ground in January.
Cardiff Team: TBC
Aberavon Team: TBC
