Match Preview – Pontypridd v Newport
Five is the key number for Pontypridd as the team play their first match at Sardis Road for just over five weeks, and their second game against Newport in a little over five days. The Indigo Group Premiership clash on Thursday 30th March kicks off at 7:30pm and will be broadcast live on S4C Clic.
Ponty will still be licking their wounds from last Saturday after Newport won the contest between the two sides by 26 points to 10 to book their place in the Welsh Cup final. The last time the two sides played each other at Sardis Road was on Saturday 18th September 2021 in the Welsh Premiership Cup, Ponty won by 19 points to 16 on that occasion.
Team news…
Ponty have made 7 personnel changes to the XV that played the Black & Ambers last Saturday, 4 in the backs and 3 in the forwards as well as two positional switches.
In the backline Tommy Morgan returns to the XV at inside centre, meaning Ceri Morris moves to outside centre. Niko Matawalu moves back out onto the right wing and there’s a start on the other wing for Ewan Skuse. It’s all change in the half-backs as Rory Harries and Jamie Murphy are drafted in for starts.
In the pack the props rotate – Tom Devine and Garyn Daniel replace Ben Stephens and Tom Harper and Aled Ward starts at blindside flanker.
There’s also a recall to the matchday squad for centre Jordan Howells on the replacements bench. Cally James, Lloyd Rowlands and Lucus Welch remain side-lined through injury, Chris Dicomidis is unavailable and Joseph Scrivens is away with the Crawshay’s Invitational side in Hong Kong.
Also, a special mention for Sion Parry who will make his 50th appearance for Pontypridd RFC when he runs out for the match on Thursday evening.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Newport is as follows:
15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Niko Matawalu. 13. Ceri Morris. 12. Tommy Morgan. 11. Ewan Skuse. 10. Jamie Murphy. 9. Rory Harries
1. Tom Devine. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Kristian Parker (c). 5. Mitch Barnard. 6. Aled Ward. 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles
Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Ben Stephens. 18. Tom Harper. 19. James Murphy. 20. Cai James. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Jordan Howells. 23. Iestyn Griffiths
SUPPORTER INFORMATION:
The Sardis Road Stadium and Clubhouse will be open from 5:30pm so that supporters can purchase refreshments before the match kicks off.
Tickets – Admission on the day will be £12 full, £10 concession access-all-areas and under 16’s free if accompanied by a paying adult. You can purchase tickets on the day or to save time can use our online e-Ticket system, link – e-Tickets – The club has increased the range of tickets now available to cover small groups (2 people) and large groups (4 people). We are also pleased to have introduced a family ticket for our Youth and Mini & Junior sections.
Club Shop – For all your Ponty RFC merchandise, the Club Shop inside the ground will be open.
