Ponty, who sit proudly at the top of the Premiership table, welcome reigning champions Llanelli to Sardis Road, with painful memories of their last two appearances in finals.
The Valleys club were in the same position last season but crashed to a shock Play-Off Final defeat to their west Wales counterparts and just last week they lost to Cross Keys in the Swalec Cup final.
But Pontypridd coach McIntosh has issued a rallying call and urged his side to come out fighting.
“The whole season comes down to the final eighty minutes against Llanelli, probably the most crucial eighty minutes for Ponty in the semi pro era.” said McIntosh.
“We will need to fly into Llanelli with no holds barred, that must be our response to last week’s cup final defeat.
“Llanelli are looking sharp at the end of the season and will provide us with a huge challenge.
“It should be a great spectacle between two teams committed to attacking rugby, and a great occasion to end the season.
“We can only give a commitment as a squad that we will turn up and give everything for the club jersey and for the club support.”
Llanelli head coach Anthony Buchanan admitted last season’s Play-Off final triumph felt hollow after Pontypridd dominated the regular season.
But he insists lifting the crown will have much more meaning this season having run Ponty to the wire.
“Pontypridd have won the league and we congratulate them on that, but this is a play-off challenge we want to win,” said Buchanan.
“We went to Sardis Road and won last year, and it wasn’t a very pleasant experience.
“Pontypridd were the champions by some distance last season, but the Premiership has been much closer this time. It will be more pleasing because the gap is so much smaller.”
Buchanan anticipates a fierce battle at ‘the House of Pain’ but is confident his side have the mettle to cope under pressure.
“It will be a very difficult game at Sardis Road, and it is one we are very much looking forward to,” added Buchanan.
“But we have a great team spirit in this squad. If there’s one thing you need at Sardis Road, it’s team spirit, and I’m sure our players will have it in buckets.
“Pontypridd are a difficult team to play against, with top players and excellent coaches. It’s a tough place to go, but we’re looking forward to it and full of confidence.”
Pontypridd: Adam Thomas; Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Dafydd Lockyer, Matthew Nuthall; Lewis K Williams, Lewis Jones; Stuart Williams, Huw Dowden, Pat Palmer, Craig Locke, Ryan Savage, Chris Dicomidis (capt), Wayne O’Connor, Dan Godfrey. Replacements: Rhys Downes, Gareth Wyatt, Gary Williams, Darran Harris, Jake Thomas, Cory Hill, Chris Phillips.
Llanelli: Dan Newton; Jordan Williams, Nic Reynolds, Johnny Lewis, Iolo Evans; Owen Williams, Justin James; Shaun Hopkins, Kirby Myhill, Aled Hopkins, Adam Powell (c), Nathan White, Duane Eager, Nic Cudd, Craig Price. Replacements 16 Rhys Thomas 17 Craig Hawkins 18 Samson Lee 19 Ed Price 20 Daniel Thomas 21 Joe Heatley 22 Bowdy Davies
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