There is no let up in the intensity of Pontypridd RFC’s league campaign as the club travels to face Newport on Saturday, with the game kicking off at 2:30pm at Rodney Parade.
Facing the Black and Ambers will be the first of three competitive league games within 11 days for a Pontypridd team going all out to defend pole position in the Principality Premiership table.
Newport has traditionally been a difficult place for Ponty to visit, having won there only once since 2003 in the semi-professional era.
A combination of squad rotation and a mounting injury list sees no fewer than eight changes made, positional or in personnel, from the team that drew at home with Cardiff last time out.
The prop position is the main focus of concern for Pontypridd. Long-term injuries to Ryan Harford (arm), Jon Williams (knee) and Phil Osborne (neck), coupled with regional commitments for Blues players Sam Hobbs (seniors) and Lewis Smout and Will-Griff John (academy) and a pre-booked leave of absence for Ken Knaggs has left the club short of cover in the front row.
Highly-rated young prop Chris Phillips from Rhydyfelin is drafted in to make a senior debut for Ponty at tight head, with Stuart Williams packing down at loose head next to Blues hooker Kristian Dacey.
Wing Chris Clayton returns to the Ponty line up having recently being playing on permit for Ystrad Rhondda, with lock Chris Martenko also completing his comeback from injury having been playing for Gilfach Goch.
Industrious forward Craig Locke switches from the second row to the back row, forming a new
flank partnership with Darren Waters.
Pontypridd (vs Newport)
15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Garyn Lucas
1.Stuart Williams. 2.Kristian Dacey. 3.Chris Phillips. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Craig Locke. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Chris Dicomidis (captain)
Replacements: Kristian Baller, Simon Humberstone, Gavin Dacey, Tom Hetherington, Ed Siggery, Chris Martenko, Huw Dowden
