Pontypridd v Newport – match preview

Pontypridd will resume Premiership action following an almost five week break with a home tie against Newport on Saturday 29th February, the match at Sardis Road kicking off at 2:30pm.

Ponty occupy fourth position in the league table with a tally of forty-two points with Newport five places and nine points adrift but with two games in hand. During Ponty’s period of inactivity since a home win over Bridgend on 25th January, Newport have fitted in two games, both resulting in home victories, over Ebbw Vale and Swansea.

In the reverse fixture back in mid November, a trend of tight games between the two opponents continued, as Ponty came away from Rodney Parade with a 35pts to 37 win to their name.

The mid-winter break has given some long term injury absentees from the Pontypridd squad an opportunity to recover and be considered for selection. Alex Knott returns to the centre having completed his assessments for concussion, with Ben Jones in at full back following a groin strain. Young centre Ioan Evans makes the bench for the first time having put behind him a shoulder operation and a subsequent hamstring strain.