It would be very sad if this visit to Sardis Road was the last visit for Newport RFC. With the Black & Ambers achieving a licence to play in the new Elite Domestic Competition and Pontypridd deciding not to apply for a place, it could be the last time these two famous clubs play against each other. Games between us tend to be high-scoring, exciting encounters, with the kind of rugby people want to see. Somehow, I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of Pontypridd.
When the sides last met in November it was a big win for the home side, 54-3, but most Newport supporters would say that there certainly wasn’t a 50 point difference between the teams. Ponty are currently seventh in the league and their last home game resulted in a win against a strong Pontypool outfit. This game is sure to be a tough test.
Newport are on a splendid run with the last seven games resulting in bonus point victories and moving them to second in the league. They now have an opportunity of making use of their ‘games in hand’ and could get near to Llandovery, in first position, or consolidate their lead over third placed Ebbw Vale.
Newport: Josh Reynolds, Henry Palmer, Nathan Evans, Rynard Landman, Josh Skinner, Rhys Jenkins, Josh Read, Ben Roach Captain, Dafydd Buckland, Matt O’Brien, Lloyd Lewis, Chat Foster-Smith, Jon Morris, Elliot Frewen, Jac Lloyd.
Replacements: Tom Workman, Wade Langley, Garin Harris, Elliot Ferriman, Kyle Tayler, Che Hope, Lewis Bates, Iwan Pyrs Jones.
Referee: Gareth Newman
AR1: Ben Connor
AR2: Mathew Leon
AR3: Chris Lewis
Kick-off: 7:30 PM
Venue: Sardis Road, Pontypridd