Ponty go into the game as defending champions and dead set on making another big Cup Final day at the Millennium Stadium in May. That aim will not be achieved without a real battle against a traditionally hard edged club from Gwent.
Newbridge are currently third placed in Division One East of the Welsh Leagues, having won 15 of their 19 fixtures this season.
Their progress in the SWALEC Cup has been a commendable one, seeing off Gilfach Goch and Llanharan away and Bargoed and UWIC at home in previous rounds.
Pontypridd might well be glad of a brief change of course in their hectic end of season schedule, going by the old adage that a change is as good as a rest. Having played four league games in the past two weeks, with three of those producing big bonus point wins, Ponty will go into their cup semi final tie on form if slightly fatigued.
Changes have been made on a policy of squad rotation, with winger Owen Williams returning from Wales Sevens duties and young prop James Howe given an opportunity to impress. Chris Dicomidis returns to captain the side at flanker.
Pontypridd 15.Harley Thomson. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Lewis Jones.1.James Howe. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ken Knaggs. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis (Capt) 7.Tom Hetherington. 8.Dan Godfrey.
