Ponty get to work on the Wizards

Pontypridd commence a tough itinerary of three crucial league fixtures within the space of nine days as they entertain Aberavon at Sardis Road on Friday 8^th March, the game kicking off at 7:15pm.

Following the clash with the Wizards, Ponty will play Carmarthen Quins at home on the following Wednesday and Llanelli away on the following Saturday.

The pressure will be on Pontypridd, as defending Premiership champions and current league leaders, to secure the run of results required to maintain their status. Aberavon trail behind in tenth position with three wins to their names, but two of those coming in their last two games, at home to Cardiff and Carmarthen.

Whilst Pontypridd came away from the Talbot Athletic Ground with a 13pts to 30 win earlier this season, they will be mindful that the Wizards completed a league double over them in the previous campaign.

Pontypridd have a few late injury withdrawals amongst the squad, hookers Jack Dando and Darran Harris with a deal leg and bruised shoulder respectively and prop Scott Roberts with a calf strain. Second row Craig Locke is rested having incurred an eye injury in the way win at Swansea last weekend and outside half Dai Flanagan has been given extended domestic leave to attend to a family illness.

Making a welcome return to fitness following chest and ankle injuries respectively are prop Keiron Jenkins and lock Cory Hill, whilst centre Tom Pascoe reverts to club duties from the Wales under 20 squad.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Aberavon is as follows:

15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Owen Williams.13.Dafydd Lockyer. 12.Tom Pascoe. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Carl Thomas.

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Keiron Jenkins. 4.Cory Hill. 5.Chris Dicomidis - cpt. 6.Ed Siggery. 7.Tom Hetherington. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Subs: 16.Gareth James. 17.Gareth Wyatt. 18.Gavin Dacey. 19.Jake Thomas. 20.Dafydd Davies. 21.Owen Sheppeard. 22.Chris Phillips.