03 Pontypridd V Swansea - 10th October 2009

Ex-Welsh internationals clash at top of the table
Oct 10 2009 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

THE clash between two former Welsh internationals turned coaches at Sardis Road has the makings of an outstanding match.

Richard Webster has steered unbeaten Swansea to the top of the table with a game in hand while Paul Johns Pontypridd are tucked in a point behind in second.
It will have a 6.30pm kick-off under the Sardis Road floodlights and Ponty defend a ground record on the toughest pitch for any visiting club, but the All Whites are playing with great confidence and running in tries galore.

Ponty are without injured flanker Rhys Lloyd and full-back Adrian Thomas, while Dai Flanagan steps back to the Blues along with forwards Sam Hobbs and Rhys Williams.

Young Dean Gunter is partnered at half-back with Rhys Downes, while Swansea bring in Paul Arnold to add his great experience at lock alongside skipper Sam Kiley and Wales U18 full-back Tom Prydie is brought back on the right wing.

The match could prove a great advert for Premiership rugby and is eagerly awaited by both sets of supporters with Pontypridd leading 13-5 in league meetings at home.

Pontypridd: M Nuthall; O Williams, G Dacey, D Lockyer, L Williams; D Gunter, R Downes; L Smout, H Dowden, P Palmer, C Martenko, R Savage, C Dicomidis, N Strong (capt), W OConnor.

Swansea: N Thomas; T Prydie, C Shelmerdine, D Watts, Nicky Jones; J Dixon, R Wells; L May, S Baldwin, A Clatworthy, S Kiley (capt), P Arnold, M Popham, S Jones, L Jones.