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Two Welsh sides and two Irish sides go head-to-head tonight in the first of the weekend’s sudden-death Celtic League quarter-finals. Pontypridd host Neath and Munster host Connacht, with the two winning sides guaranteed a home semi-final. The battle at Sardis Road pits two of Wales‘ in-form sides against each other. Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells welcomes […]

Two Welsh sides and two Irish sides go head-to-head tonight in the first of the weekend’s sudden-death Celtic League quarter-finals.

Pontypridd host Neath and Munster host Connacht, with the two winning sides guaranteed a home semi-final.

The battle at Sardis Road pits two of Wales‘ in-form sides against each other. Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells welcomes back seven players from international duty, while veteran lock Gareth Llewellyn was the only Neath man required by Wales coach Steve Hansen for the four autumn Tests.

Llewellyn comes up against fellow Wales international Rob Sidoli tonight, and the battle at lineout time could swing the game. Wales and Pontypridd hooker Mefin Davies is up against Barry Williams – a player many fans felt deserved a spot in Hansen’s squad.

In the backline, Pontypridd’s New Zealand-born centre Sonny Parker will be looking to continue the fine form he showed against the All Blacks, while Sardis Road hero Brett Davey will have a battle royale with rival goal-kickers Lee Jarvis and Shaun Connor.

Tonight will be the first time Pontypridd and Neath have met in the Celtic League.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney hasn’t been able to train with a full squad for a month, but his international-laden team should hold too many guns for a brave but young Connacht outfit, especially at home.

One of the key match-ups will be between Munster‘s Ronan O’Gara and Connacht‘s Eric Elwood – two of the best goal-kickers in Irish rugby history.

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