Pontypridd’s league campaign continues, remorseless and without rest, as the club faces up to a home Premiership tie against Carmarthen Quins tonight (Wednesday, KO 7:15pm.)
With little time to recover from a heavy defeat away at Neath over the weekend, Ponty will seek a return to winning ways on their own patch, to fight for a top four placing in the Premiership.
The Carmarthen game also interestingly doubles up as a dress rehearsal for the SWALEC Cup semi final between the two clubs only 10 days later.
A spate of injuries, suspensions and absenteeism has depleted the Ponty squad in their busy run-in to the end of the season.
Out with viral infections are flanker Darren Waters and hooker Kristian Dacey, out injured are wingers Lewis Williams (knee) and Matthew Nuthall (ankle) and hooker Huw Dowden (hamstring).
Prop Stuart Williams continues to serve a five week ban, whilst back rowers Rhys Lloyd and Nathan Strong are excused for work and honeymoon duties respectively.
Wing Chris Clayton makes a timely return from injury, with hooker Rhys Williams back on club duty on the bench, where he will be joined by lock Callum Brennan on permit from Aberdare. Ryan Savage is relocated from his usual lock position to cover at blind-side flanker.
Pontypridd: 15. Aaron Bramwell. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey – cpt. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Kristian Baller; 1.Jon Williams. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Ryan Savage. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Chris Dicomidis.
Subs: Gavin Morris; Dafydd Lockyer; Adam Thomas; Lee Thorne; Rhys Williams; Ken Knaggs; Callum Brennan
