A big crowd is expected for the fixture which always proves to be one of the highlights of the domestic programme.
Neath make several changes to the side that lost to Bridgend last weekend. They had no fewer than 9 backs sidelined for that game but welcome back full back Alec Jenkins and centre Aaron Bramwell while up front, prop Tom Price and flanker Lee Evans return to boost a strong pack which is showing all its traditional fire.
Coaches Patrick Horgan and Richard Webster were far from pleased with Neath’s defensive alignment last week and Horgan said, “We are scoring plenty of tries (39 in 8 games this season) but, after conceding just 9 tries in the first 7 games, it was devastating to concede 5 to Bridgend through poor defending.
“We certainly cannot afford to be lax against Pontypridd who have strong and dangerous runners in Dafydd Lockyer and Gavin Dacey behind. They won the League last year and we have utter respect for them but we are looking to get back on track – quickly – in front of our own supporters.”
For Pontypridd the medical staff at Sardis Road have been hard at work trying to minimise a lengthy list of injuries.
The latest casualties to be sidelined for the foreseeable future are centre Adam Thomas and no8 Owen Sheppeard. Both this week had their respective shoulder and ankle injuries scanned, and both facing time out for the next six weeks.
There is better news regarding winger Matthew Nuthall who has recovered from a hamstring strain, whilst the Ponty squad is also bolstered by a return from senior regional duties of scrum half Rhys Downes, hooker Rhys Williams, prop Ryan Harford and lock Cory Hill.
Neath team:
A.Jenkins; K.James, A.Bramwell,, G.McCarthy, J.Davies; D.Langdon, C.Morgans; N.Downs, A.Littlehales, T.Price; E.Evans, N.Bonner-Evans; G.Gravell (captain), A.Powell, L.Evans
The Pontypridd team:
15.Harley Thomson. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes. 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Jordan Sieniawski. 5.Cory Hill. 6.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey. Subs: Gareth Williams; Lewis K Williams; Gareth Wyatt; Rhys Williams; Tom Hetherington; Chris Martenko; Ryan Harford.
