The last meeting between the two sides saw Greg Woods’ Cross Keys side take home the SWALEC Cup after a 32-19 win at the Millennium Stadium. The result means Keys will go into Saturday’s clash with the bragging rights though Ponty coach Dale McIntosh believes last year’s cup final will have little impact on Saturday.
“We haven’t lost up there for two years and we’re definitely not arrogant, that’s not who we are,” he said.
“I’m hoping we’ll take our A game and if we do that it will take a good side to beat us. Saying that I’ll never underestimate Cross Keys. They’re a club on the up and had a tremendous season last year.
“As I say it will take a good side to beat us. If that side is Cross Keys then hats off to them.”
McIntosh believes this year’s squad is stronger than in previous seasons and is looking forward to Saturday’s league opener.
“I think both teams like to play rugby and play with width and tempo,” he added.
“Pre-season has been shortened but it has been far, far more intense this year as we knew we only had a certain amount of time to get prepared. The boys have worked extremely hard and we purposely had last weekend off and the testing results went through the roof so we’re over the moon with that.”
With a near fully fit squad at their disposal the Pontypridd coaches have given competitive debuts to winger Owen Jenkins, centre Tom Pascoe and scrum half Gareth James. Dai Flanagan resumes his career with the club at outside half.
For Cross Keys, last year’s cup success has shown the side what can be achieved and Greg Woods’ men know they will be far from an unknown quantity this year.
“We’ve been building for a few years and last year we proved that we’re capable of winning a trophy so the expectations are the same again this year,” said Keys’ captain Rob Nash.
“We’re hoping to retain the cup but the Premiership is our main priority so we’re hopefully going for the double.
“In previous years when I’ve played for Cross Keys people haven’t expected much from us so this year is going to be different.
“They know we’re a good team so expectations are going to be a lot higher and teams are going to pick up their games against us.
“So we’ll have to be on the top of our game if we want to retain the cup and win the league.”
Keys have recruited a number of new players during pre-season but their side contains some familiar faces for their season opener.
Dean Gunter starts at fly-half with brothers Danny and Ollie Hodge combining in the second row for what will be a fiercely contested game.
“It’s going to be a huge game, we’ve got home advantage but they’re still going to be hurt from our last game down the Millennium Stadium,” added Nash.
“I think mentally we might have the advantage but I also know what it’s like to be on the other side of losing and wanting revenge so sometimes that helps as well so it could go either way.
“We’re used to being underdogs, this is unknown territory for us being cup holders so we’re well aware what’s coming.”
Cross Keys XV against Pontypridd:
15 Gareth David 14 Nathan Williams 13 Leon Andrews 12 Luke Ford 11 Luke Williams 10 Dean Gunter 9 Ryan James 8 Adam Powell 7 Rob Nash (c) 6 Rhys Peebles 5 Ollie Hodge 4 Danny Hodge
3 Anthony Lott 2 Gerwyn Price 1 Richard Cornock.
Replacements:
Craig Gould, James Johnstone, Garry Horrigan, Jamie Sollis, Sean Higgins, Jonathan Lewis, Dorian Jones, Elliott Jones.
Pontypridd XV against Cross Keys:
15 Adam Thomas 14 Owen Jenkins 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Tom Pascoe 11 Matthew Nuthall 10.Dai Flanagan 9 Gareth James 8 Dan Godfrey 7 Wayne O’Connor 6 Jake Thomas 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 4 Craig Locke 3 Pat Palmer 2 Huw Dowden 1 Chris Phillips.
Replacements:
Carl Thomas, Simon Humberstone, Lewis I Williams, Darran Harris, Rhys Shellard, Cory Hill, Keiron Jenkins, Scott Roberts.
