Pontypridd v Cardiff Met – Match Preview
On Saturday 15th February Pontypridd host Cardiff Met in the Admiral Premiership, the match at Sardis Road will kick-off at 2:30pm.
Ponty and The Archers met earlier in the season back on Saturday 19th October at Cyncoed Campus, and it was the Valley Commandos who enjoyed a 42-12 bonus-point win in the balmy autumn sunshine in the capital.
Pontypridd remain at the summit of the Premiership standings following a 43-31 win against Cross Keys at Sardis Road last Friday evening. That victory means it’s now eight league wins in a row, but with Merthyr and Neath breathing down their necks Pontypridd will know only a win will do this Saturday against 7th placed Cardiff Met who have won two out of their last three league matches.
The Team News…
For the second week in a row there are multiple changes in the Pontypridd starting XV – six in the starting line-up with five positional switches on top of that. There are also two new faces on the bench as injuries and unavailability continue to play their part in the selection of the matchday squad.
The three new faces in the backline are Oli Shepherd at fullback, Stuart Floyd-Ellis at outside centre and Joel Raikes at scrum half. Shepherd’s recall sees Dale Stuckey switch from fullback to the left wing, which in turn means Louis Rochefort-Shugar moves to the right wing. Floyd-Ellis returns from injury to start at outside centre allowing Ioan Evans move to inside centre.
The three personnel changes in the forwards are Rob Jones at hooker, Ben Drew at prop and Joe Miles at no.8. The positional reshuffle comes in the back row with last week’s no.8 Lloyd Riley moving to blindside flanker and Kristian Parker moving to openside flanker.
On the bench there are recalls to the matchday squad for Garyn Daniel and Jude Williams, whilst club captain Cally James has joined brother Cai and Garyn Smith in the treatment room. Joe Davies is on leave.
Saturday’s team will be co-captained by Joel Raikes and Dale Stuckey, and Mitch Barnard will make his 50th appearance for the Valley Commandos when he runs out this week – congratulations Mitch!
The Pontypridd team selected to play Cardiff Met is as follows:
15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Ioan Evans. 11. Dale Stuckey (cc). 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Joel Raikes (cc).
1. Ben Drew. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Ieuan Davies. 6. Lloyd Riley. 7. Kristian Parker. 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Ben Stephens. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Garyn Daniel. 20. Rhys Emmott. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. George Thorrington. 23. Jude Williams.
THE JOHN PUGH MEMORIAL SHIELD:
Saturday will see the second instalment of the two teams competing for the John Pugh Memorial Shield. John was a former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Cardiff Met RFC for over 30 years, and before that an ex-Pontypridd player who passed away in October 2023 – Ponty are the current holders of this piece of silverware following our win at Cyncoed last October.
SUPPORTER INFORMATION:
Tickets – Admission on Saturday 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 (which is recommended to miss the queues) you can use our online e-Ticket system, here’s the link which includes all our different packages – Pontypridd v Cardiff Met – 15/2/2025
Supporter access is via the Clubhouse end of the ground only.
Sponsors Day – This Saturday is one of the Club’s designated Sponsors Days when we celebrate and thank all the businesses that are currently onboard supporting Pontypridd RFC – This Saturday is Sponsors Day
The Graham Gittins Lounge – Before the match the Gibby Bar, located underneath the Grandstand at Sardis Road is to be renamed the Graham Gittins Lounge in honour of one of our all-time greats. This rededication ceremony will take place at 1:30pm just prior to kick-off. Graham and members of his family will be in attendance, and there will be a buffet and drinks available to commemorate the occasion – The Graham Gittins Lounge
Former Players Association AGM – This will take place in the Bob Penberthy Clubhouse Lounge and will commence at 12:30pm – Former Players Association AGM – Saturday 15th February
Live Sport In The Clubhouse – Our Clubhouse will be from midday onwards and we will be showing the following live sport on the screens – Leicester City v Arsenal in the Premier League (12:30pm), Harlequins v Saracens in the English Premiership Cup (3:05pm) and Munster v Scarlets in the URC (5:15pm).
Ole!
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