Llandovery currently occupy third position in the league table, one above Pontypridd with both teams having won four and lost one of their competitive fixtures.
Ponty completed a comprehensive treble over Llandovery last season in the Premiership and British & Irish Cup, and also registered a big home win by 62-14 in a pre-season friendly on August 27th. Those results now seem marginal as the Drovers have got off to a solid start to their league campaign, not least with an impressive home win over current leaders Neath last time out.
Pontypridd have their injury problems to contend with as they travel west to Church Bank, particularly so in the second row department where both Ryan Savage and Craig Locke are sidelined, with club skipper Chris Dicomidis also absent on international duty with Cyprus.
Stepping into the breach as cover is former Ponty lock Chris Martenko who has come out of retirement to answer the ultimate call of duty.
Making their comeback from injury to claim a place in the starting line up are prop Pat Palmer and flanker Jake Thomas, the latter to make his first appearance since a summer shoulder operation.
Pontypridd 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes; 1.James Howe. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Jordan Sieniawski. 5.Cory Hill. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Calum Thomas. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Garyn Lucas; Lewis K Williams; Dafydd Lockyer; Huw Dowden; Wayne O’Connor; Chris Martenko; Ken Knaggs.
