The two opposing clubs are vying for automatic qualification from the group, with Bristol having edged four points clear at the top of the table courtesy of a 13-24 away win at Ponty on 25th October.
The Valley Commandos will be out to avenge that defeat, knowing the enormity of the task in taking on the form team of the English Championship, who boast a squad packed with international class personnel. A win is the only realistic option for the Welsh Premiership leaders to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification.
The latest injury casualties for Pontypridd are prop James Howe and lock Chris Dicomidis who have suffered shoulder and knee strains respectively. They join long term casualties, outside half Jarrod Evans, scrum half Joel Raikes and second row Craig Locke.
Winger Geraint Walsh, centre Adam Thomas and flanker Ellis Jenkins are on senior Blues duties, winger Alex Webber and scrum half Tom Williams with Wales Sevens, whilst lock Alex Jones and winger Lewis I Williams are absent due to family commitments.
The Ponty squad has been bolstered by the return to club duties of Blues scrum half Lewis Jones, and the inclusion of Wales international second row Lou Reed.
Bristol coach Andy Robinson makes a total of eight changes to the starting line-up from the side that beat Rotherham Titans in the club’s last outing.
Andy Short returns to the backline after recovering from a toe injury, while Gareth Maule and Luke Baldwin are also included.
In the pack, Gaston Cortes and Mark Sorenson are named, while Nick Koster, Ross Rennie and Ben Skirving – both of whom are back from injury lay-offs – form a new-look back row trio.
Bristol: Jack Wallace; Andy Short, Gareth Maule, Luke Eves, George Watkins; Nicky Robinson, Luke Baldwin; Jack O’Connell, Chris Brooker, Gaston Cortes, Ben Glynn, Mark Sorenson (c), Nick Koster, Ross Rennie, Ben Skirving.
Replacements: Max Crumpton, Matias Diaz, Joe Joyce, Josh Ovens, Craig Hampson, Mark Cooke, Jack Tovey.
Pontypridd: 15.Aled Summerhill. 14.Owen Jenkins. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Lewis Jones; 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Liam Belcher. 3. Keiron Jenkins. 4.Lou Reed. 5.Seb Davies. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Lewis K Williams. 18.Garyn Smith. 19.Huw Dowden. 20.Jake Thomas 21.Dillon Lewis. 22.Tau’ Filise.
