Dale McIntosh’s side return to Premiership action following a successful opening two games in the British & Irish Cup.
After securing a draw away to Jersey, Ponty then turned over Leinster A in a famous win at Sardis Road last Saturday. Centre Dafydd Lockyer was the hero, his last minute try securing the win and he captains the side at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
Elsewhere, McIntosh makes a number of changes as he tries to keep his squad fresh. Forward Chris Dicomidis drops to the bench while usual starter Dai Flanagan does not make the match day squad.
Newport are flying high after a dramatic late win over Cross Keys in the British & Irish Cup last weekend but face a difficult task on Sunday.
Newport: 15 James Leadbeater 14 Elliott Frewen13 Geraint O”Driscoll 12 William Richards 11 Alan Awcock 10 Scott James Sneddon 9 Andrew Quick, 1 Jamie Jeune 2 Andrew John Brown 3 Timothy Ryan 4 Rhodri Lloyd Jones 5 Adam Rhys Frampton 6 Samuel Waldron7 Craig Attwell (c) 8 Jonathan Ross Coombs.
Replacements: Ryan Prosser, Daniel Matthews, Dafydd Rosser, Brendan Joseph Lampitt, William Guy Hodnett, Tom Hancock, Rhys Downes.
Pontypridd: 15 Geraint Walsh 14 Lewis Williams 13 Adam Thomas 12 Dafydd Lockyer (c) 11 Owen Williams 10 Lewis Williams 9 Carl Thomas, 1 Chris Phillips 2 Darren Harris 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Jordan Sienawski 6 Tom Hetherington 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Owen Shepherd.
Replacements: Joel Raikes, Gareth Wyatt, Gary Williams, Kristian Dacey, Ed Siggery, Chris Dicomidis, Scott Roberts, Bradley Thyer.
