Ponty will be eager to make the most of home advantage against Gwent opposition in their next two fixtures, with Newport and Bedwas the visitors, as they seek to consolidate their status near the top of the league table.
Newport in contrast have slumped to a lowly and uncharacteristic eleventh place in the table with just two wins out of six games played.
Bringing with them a strong squad, potentially enhanced by a Gwent Dragon input, and coached by two former Sardis Road stalwarts in Sven Cronkand Jonny Bryant, Newport will pose a real threat whatever the league standings.
The Ponty squad will be depleted by a number of regional call ups to the Blues senior squad and a long standing injury list, the latest of which is winger Chris Clayton with a dead leg.
The strength in depth of the current squad however holds up, and is bolstered by the return to full fitness of centre Gavin Dacey following an ankle injury. Lock Chris Martenko continues in his temporary role as a replacement.
Pontypridd:15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Garyn Lucas; 1.Ken Knaggs. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Jordan Sieniawski. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Gareth Williams; Lewis Reece; Dafydd Lockyer; Tom Hetherington; Owen Sheppeard; Chris Martenko; James Howe.
