Merthyr v Pontypridd match preview

The Premiership valleys derby will be played on Saturday 7th March as Pontypridd travel to face Merthyr in a match that kicks off at 1pm.

Both clubs will be keen to react to disappointing results last time out, Ponty suffering a 12pts to 17 home defeat against Newport whilst Merthyr lost by 17pts to 14 at Llandovery. The outcome was that Ponty dropped to fifth position in the table, level on points with sixth placed Merthyr but with one more victory to their name.

Honours are shared so far this season between the valley rivals, Merthyr progressing in the first round of the National Cup with a 39pts to 19 home win but Ponty then gaining revenge in the league with a 37pts to 7 victory at Sardis Road in November.

The latest injury victims for Pontypridd are lock Lloyd Evans who fractured his ankle in the Newport defeat, and full backs Morgan Richards and Lloyd Rowlands with a dead leg and knee strain respectively.

Back rower Aaron Atkins is drafted in on permit from Cilfynydd to take a place on the bench, alongside new recruit Carl Blacker who awaits his debut at scrum half, with Tom Rowlands away on leave.