The Doncaster challenge

Pontypridd will seek to take full advantage of what will be their only home fixture in the British & Irish Cup this season, as they face a powerful Doncaster Knights outfit at Sardis Road on Wednesday evening 3d March, kick off time 7:15pm.

With just two games remaining in the pool stage of the competition, Ponty will need two big wins, and hope that other results go their way to stand any chance of qualification. More realistically, Ponty can take the role of king-makers in having a big say in the outcome of Pool D. Doncaster, coached by former Ponty stalwarts Lynn Howells and Brett Davey, currently top the group with a 100% record, with Cardiff pushing hard at their heels.

After a stuttering start to their BIC campaign Ponty have gathered momentum, and will hope for a double over English opposition to round off their participation in the tournament, with an away trip to Birmingham & Solihull following the Doncaster challenge.

A number of new injury problems have cropped up to further deplete the Ponty squad. Paying the price following a last gasp win at Ayr last Saturday are centre Gavin Dacey (hamstring), outside half Aaron Bramwell (neck) and prop Ken Knaggs (shoulder). The club’s allocation of Wales under 20 players – Dean Gunter, Rhys Downes, Rhys Williams and Macauley Cook - are still away with the international squad.

Matthew Hutchings steps in at no 10 to partner Kristian Baller at half back, with Adam Thomas returning to the centre alongside Gary Williams. Flanker Sam Studley is drafted in on permit from Llanharan, with Wayne O’Connor recovering from injury to take a place on the bench.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Doncaster is as follows:

15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Matthew Hutchings. 9.Kristian Baller.

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Sam Studley. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

Subs: Gavin Morris; Lewis Williams; Lee Thorne; Huw Dowden; Wayne O’Connor; Craig Locke; Jon Williams.