Pontypridd v Merthyr – match preview

Pontypridd host Merthyr in a Premiership East tie on Saturday 16th September, the match at Sardis Road kicking off at 2:30pm.

Both teams have shown a distinct lack of consistency so far into the new season, having an identical record of just one win from three matches played, which has left them trailing behind pace setters Bedwas and Cardiff. Defending champions Merthyr currently lie third in the table on seven points with Ponty two positions and one point behind.

Last season -their first in the Premiership – Merthyr recorded an impressive double over Ponty on their way to claiming the title, and also registered home and away victories in the Challenge Cup.

Pontypridd will seek to put behind them a close fought defeat away to Newport by 29pts to 27 last time out.

Ponty welcome back long term injury absentees, wing Alex Webber and no8 Hemi Barnes into the squad, whilst senior Blues, centre Garyn Smith and prop Corey Domachowski are also called up. Centre James Lewis is drafted in on permit from Ebbw Vale to take a place on the bench.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Merthyr is as follows:

15.Lloyd Rowlands. 14.Alex Webber. 13.Garyn Smith. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Dale Stuckey. 10.Diggy Bird. 9.Dane Blacker.

1.Corey Domachowski. 2.Corrie Tarrant. 3.Will Davies-King. 4.Josh Hawkins. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Shane Lewis-Hughes. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Morgan Sieniawski.

Subs: 16.Wayne Evans. 17.Rhys Morgan. 18.James Lewis. 19.Joe Page. 20.Hemi Barnes. 21.Sean Moore. 22.Chris Phillips. 23.Jon Elley.