Ponty now have point to prove

[icWales] ENGLAND and France have rubbished Welsh rugby again - with Pontypridd this time the subject of the wrath of the big two.

Lynn Howells' men have been written off as Parker Pen Challenge Cup no-hopers by Wasps and Stade Francais.

The pair made their startling prediction before the second leg of the quarter-finals have even taken place.

Pontypridd are expected to over-come Irish province Connacht at Sardis Road after holding a five-point advantage from the first leg in Ireland.

That would clinch them a semi-final place against the winners of the Stade-Wasps return game, with the London club holding a current 13-point advantage.

But, whoever comes out on top out of those two, they expect to dispose of Pontypridd if, as expected, they see off Connacht.

Stade coach Nick Mallett, the man who guided South Africa to a world record equalling run of Test victories, and Wasps chief Warren Gatland believe the quarter-final between their teams is the final come early.

"Before the first game with Wasps I said they were the best team in the competition outside us," said Mallett.

"That means, if we can get past Wasps, we would have a good chance of winning it."

Gatland went further, claiming, "The two best teams are playing each other, us and Stade.

"I would like to say, fingers crossed, it is us."

"Whoever comes out on top will probably be playing Pontypridd home and away. Then you are in the final.

"If we get into the semi-final we have got a good chance of going the whole way. We would relish that chance."