After being beaten semi-finalists last season, Leinster are one of the favourites to win this year’s competition and will provide a huge challenge for the Ponty squad.
The two teams met in last season’s British & Irish Cup quarter-final in Dublin where the Irish side made the most of home advantage to run out convincing 32-0 winners.
After a draw in Jersey last weekend, Pontypridd head coach Dale McIntosh is looking forward to seeing how his team bounce back on Saturday.
“We were unable to express ourselves or play to our full potential in Jersey but we will take that on the chin and move on,” he said.
“We are still very much alive in this competition. Taking on Leinster A who have a strong squad and a call on players with European and international experience will be a real test of character for us. We are confident in our own ability and have faith in each other as a squad. If we play our A game on Saturday then we will be hard to beat.”
McIntosh’s call to arms applies not only to the playing squad but also to the massed ranks of Ponty supporters.
“Once more we had a phenomenal following out in Jersey, our supporters were there in their droves,” he added.
“We hope that there will be a big turn out to watch a top class fixture at Sardis Road on Saturday.
“The atmosphere at our stadium can give us that lift, that extra five percent on our performance could make all the difference in going for the win.”
Ponty welcome back flanker Rhys Shellard from Wales Sevens duties but also have a number of injuries to contend with.
The absentees include wingers Owen Jenkins (ankle ligament) and Chris Clayton (rib), centres Adam Thomas (ankle) and Gavin Dacey (fractured hand), outside half Simon Humberstone (groin), scrum half Gareth James (hamstring), prop Chris Phillips (fractured hand) and lock Cory Hill (shoulder).
With a number of players unavailable, Ponty team manager Richard Langmead knows the task facing his team is a tough one.
“Leinster are a quality squad, fully professional and training as one with the senior provincial team. We know from last season’s quarter final clash how formidable they can be,” he said.
“Our boys have trained well this week, are switched on and ready to raise their game. Our aim is to be competitive, to give a good showing in front of a big crowd at Sardis Road.”
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Lewis I Williams 13 Dafydd Lockyer 12 Gary Williams 11 Matthew Nuthall 10 Dai Flanagan 9 Carl Thomas, 1 Stuart Williams 2 Huw Dowden 3 Pat Palmer 4 Craig Locke 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jake Thomas 7 Rhys Shellard 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Joel Raikes, Lewis K Williams, Gareth Wyatt, Darran Harris, Tom Hetherington, Ed Siggery, Keiron Jenkins.
