Topping Pool D of the competition, Ponty have high hopes of qualification to the quarter final stage of the BIC, but with three tough encounters against English Championship opposition to come. Doncaster Knights and Birmingham & Solihull wait in the wings, but all focus for the time being will be on the visit of Rotherham.
The Titans are enjoying a successful season in the Championship, currently seventh in the table and coming into the Ponty game fresh from a commendable win over BIC holders Cornish Pirates.
Pontypridd continue with a policy of squad rotation, making a raft of changes from the line-up that secured a home win over Aberavon in the Premiership last time out.
Dean Gunter is given an opportunity at outside half, playing alongside Rhys Downes, who makes his club comeback following a summer knee operation.
Amongst the forwards, three Wales under 20 trialists from the Blues Academy step into line, namely prop Lewis Smout, lock Cory Hill and no8 Owen Sheppeard. Skipper Chris Dicomidis reverts from the back row to the second row, with Jake Thomas given a start at blind-side flanker.
The Pontypridd team selected to face Rotherham Titans is as follows:
15.Adam Thomas. 14.Gareth Wyatt. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes. 1.Lewis Smout. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ken Knaggs. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Owen Sheppeard.
Subs: Lewis Jones; Simon Humberstone; Chris Clayton; Rhys Williams; Darren Waters; Ryan Savage; Ryan Harford.
Â
