The Welsh All Blacks are joint top of the Principality Premiership with a game in hand over Aberavon but they have got there despite a horrendous campaign injury-wise which shows no sign of abating.
Neath retain the back division that finished last week’s game but ring the changes up front and coach Horgan says, “We picked up a couple more knocks last week and we have a real mountain to climb if we are to overturn the Cup result.
“They say that a side’s true character shines through in adversity and our squad has been fully tested in that respect this season and responded.
“The inspiration of playing at an atmospheric Sardis Road may be just what we need as Ponty are using the game as part of Owen Smith MP’s campaign to revise regional rugby with a supporters’ rally up there.”
Pontypridd make five changes, one positional, from the line up which faced Neath in the cup last time out. Winger Lewis I Williams, centre Gary Williams and scrum half Rhys Downes are drafted in with Dafydd Lockyer moving from inside to outside centre. In the back row, Owen Sheppeard is given a start. Hooker Darran Harris, back from Wales under 20 duties, is called up to the bench.
Pontypridd 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Dafydd Lockyer. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Rhys Downes; 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Owen Sheppeard.
Replacements: Lewis Jones; Lewis K Williams; Gavin Dacey; Darran Harris; Jake Thomas; Dan Godfrey; Ken Knaggs.
Neath A.Bramwell, K.James, G.King, G.McCarthy, E.Jones; D.Langdon, C.Morgans; O.Ford, R.Clancy/A.James, J.Reeves; R.Jones, A.Powell; M.Rees, L.Evans, G.Gravell (captain)
