The season has become a stop start affair for Ponty during the past month, with a British & Irish Cup double against Leeds being the only action due to postponed fixtures. With games in hand over all clubs around them in the league the Valley Commandos will be eager to get back in harness and regain momentum.
Ponty are second placed in the table on 41 points, Cardiff trail behind in seventh spot on 30 points, a return of six wins, a draw and six defeats reflecting the balance of their campaign so far. Form and statistics tend to be irrelevant when these two clubs meet in a contest which always provides its own serrated edge.
Pontypridd reintroduce full back Geraint Walsh from recent injury and give a first start to young scrum half Lloyd Williams on permit from Treorchy. Wales Sevens flanker Rhys Shellard is called up to face his former club.
Pontypridd 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Lloyd Williams; 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Darran Harris. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: 16.Carl Thomas. 17.Simon Humberstone. 18.Gary Williams. 19.Huw Dowden. 20.Ed Siggery. 21.Cory Hill. 22.Scott Roberts. 23.Bradley Thyer.
