The two clubs were in contention at the same qualifying stage of the competition last season, with just a two point aggregate separating the sides over the two legs played. Ponty won at home by 27-20 but a week later went down to defeat away by 21-26.
It was Pontypridd that ultimately qualified from the group, on points difference only, and progressed to the semi final round only to lose on try count, after extra time, to eventual cup winners Leinster A.
With such dramatic scenes written into the club’s recent history, it is little wonder that the BIC means so much to Pontypridd, its players and its supporters.
Aiming to get off to a winning start to the current campaign, Ponty have to contend with a long list of squad absentees, due to injury, international and regional call-ups, suspension and work commitments.
Away with Wales Sevens in Australia are winger Alex Webber, centre Garyn Smith and scrum half Tomos Williams. Involved with the Blues senior squad are full backs Adam Thomas and Geraint Walsh. Winger Lewis I Williams is meanwhile unavailable due to work schedules whilst second row Craig Locke remains suspended following a recent sending off.
Ruled out by injury and illness, or insufficiently recovered from recent injury are full back Aled Summerhill (neck), centre Gary Williams (groin), outside half Jarrod Evans (ankle), scrum half Joel Raikes (knee), props Dillon Lewis (bronchitis) and Keiron Jenkins (calf), hooker Huw Dowden (hamstring), and flankers Jake Thomas and Ellis Jenkins (both ankle).
Drafted into the Ponty squad from the Blues regional ranks to bolster some key positions are centre Richard Smith, scrum half Tavis Knoyle and prop Taufa’ao Filise, the latter two in the starting line-up.
Pontypridd: 15 Matthew Nuthall14.Chris Clayton 13.Gavin Dacey 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 11 Owen Jenkins 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 James Howe 2.Liam Belcher 3.Taufa’ao Filise 4.Alex Jones 5.Chris Dicomidis 6.Wayne O’Connor 7.Rhys Shellard 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16 Lloyd Williams 17 Lewis K Williams 18 Richard Smith 19 Aled Morris 20 Owen Sheppeard 21 Bradley Thyer 22 Chris Phillips
London Scottish: 15 Peter Lydon, 14, Charlie Dockery, 13, Chris Auld, 12, Connor Braid, 11, Alex Coombes, 10, Lee Millar, 9, Matt Heeks, 1, Mark Lilley, 2, David Cherry, 3, Stewart Maguire, 4, Tai Tuisamoa, 5, Gregor Gillanders, 6, Alex Brown, 7, Freddie Clarke, 8, James Phillips (c).
Replacements: 16, James Hallam, 17, Todd Gleave, 18, Max Maidment, 19, Adam Preocanin, 20, Chris Walker, 21, Ben Calder, 22, Matt Williams.
