Both clubs were engaged in SSE SWALEC Cup action last weekend, both entertaining Championship opposition, but with differing outcomes. Whilst Ponty battled to put away Bargoed at Sardis Road by 41-13, Neath went down to the shock result of the day, losing at home to Rygbi Gogledd Cymru by 26-32.
Pontypridd now travel to face a Neath team who will be smarting from that result, and who are battling to climb from the Premiership drop zone, currently placed ninth in the table. Ponty are themselves smarting from the deduction of four league points, having dropped to second place, four points behind leaders Ebbw Vale albeit with two games in hand. For both contestants the league points on offer are hugely important.
In the reverse fixture at Sardis Road, which was the Premiership opener back in early September, Pontypridd claimed victory by 38-7.
Pontypridd have No8 Owen Sheppeard sidelined with a knee injury whilst scrum half Joel Raikes suffered a slight reaction to his own knee problem in the Bargoed cup tie. A number of changes in personnel are made from that game, with an entirely new three-quarter line, front row and back row making the starting line-up.
Pontypridd: 15.Aled Summerhill. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Garyn Smith. 11.Owen Jenkins. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Tomos Williams; 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Liam Belcher. 3.Dillon Lewis. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Alex Jones. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Tom Hetherington. 8.Rhys Shellard.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Dale Stuckey. 18.Dafydd Lockyer. 19.Huw Dowden. 20.Dan Godfrey. 21.Jordan Sieniawski. 22.James Howe. 23.Pat Palmer.
