The crunch tie will be played at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday (KO 2pm).
The calculations for qualification are numerous and complex as seven clubs from five pools vie for the three positions on offer. Ponty know that a bonus point win will take them through, and that a straight win will give them a fighting chance to progress.
Battling for a win against a London Scottish team who are third placed in the English Championship with six wins out of eight games played, will be a difficult enough task in its own right for the Valley Commandos. Ponty will aim at least to replicate their home win, by 23-17, in the reverse pool fixture back in October.
Ponty largely keep faith with the team that registered a bonus point win at home to Connacht last time out. Lewis I Williams returns on the wing and Wayne O’Connor as blindside flanker.
Liam Belcher steps in at hooker and Keiron Jenkins at tight head prop, with Tongan international Tau’ Filise moving over to fill the loose head berth. Second row Craig Locke makes a welcome return from a recent knee injury to take a place on the bench.
London Scottish 15, Peter Lydon, 14, Connor Braid, 13, Matt Hawke, 12, PJ Gidlow, 11, Alec Coombes, 10, Dan Newton (c), 9, Matt Heeks, 1, Mark Lilley, 2, Dave Cherry, 3, Ben Prescott, 4, George Merrick, 5, Gregor Gillanders, 6, Neil Best, 7, Alex Brown, 8, James Phillips.
Replacements: 16, James Hallam, 17, Adam Kwasnicki, 18, Lovejoy Chawatama, 19, Tai Tuisamoa, 20, Chevvy Pennycook, 21, Ben Calder, 22, Chris Auld.
Pontypridd 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Garyn Smith. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Alex Webber. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Tavis Knoyle; 1.Tau’ Filise. 2.Liam Belcher. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Lou Reed. 5.Seb Davies. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Lewis K Williams. 18.Gavin Dacey. 19.Huw Dowden. 20.Craig Locke. 21.Chris Phillips. 22.Dillon Lewis.
