Pontypridd v Ystrad Rhondda – Match Preview
On Saturday 20th December Pontypridd RFC welcome Ystrad Rhondda RFC to Sardis Road, the Admiral Premiership match kicks off at 2:30pm.
The origin of matches between Pontypridd and Ystrad Rhondda goes way back to the 24th September 1885 – Ponty won that game away at Ystrad, and the rivalry has been reignited over the last 18 months since the Gelligaled Park men’s promotion into the Premiership last season.
Both encounters between the two sides were close last season, Ponty won by 9 points at Sardis (26-17) and Ystrad won by 7 points (36-29) at Gelligaled Park during the 2024/25 campaign. This afternoon’s fixture, which was also a Christmas derby at Sardis last season, sees 3rd take on 5th so it should be another Christmas cracker!
TEAM NEWS:
Pontypridd have made four changes to the XV that took to the field at Merthyr last Saturday – three in the backs and one in the forwards. There are a further three new faces amongst the substitutes including a potential club debutant.
In the backline Stuart Floyd-Ellis returns on the right wing, Jack Davies is drafted in at outside centre and Jorge Lucey starts at flyhalf. In the pack Player-Head Coach Kristian Parker returns to the second row.
On the bench there are returns to the matchday squad for Callum Coxley and Rhodri Smith, and there could be a Pontypridd debut for Alfie John who is on permit from the Cardiff Rugby Academy.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Ystrad Rhondda is as follows:
15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 13. Jack Davies. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Iwan Griffith. 10. Jorge Lucey. 9. Lloyd Dennett.
1. Ben Stephens. 2. Louis Tovey. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Connah Hughes. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Alfie John. 20. Jordan Coxley. 21. Joey Williams. 22. Rhodri Smith. 23. Callum Coxley.
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 – e-Tickets – Pontypridd v Ystrad Rhondda 20/12/2025
Supporter access is via the Clubhouse end of the ground only – the ground and bars will be open from midday onwards.
Ahead of the game, we would urge the supporters of the two clubs to check out our recently published article containing some important information – Two Matches in Six Days – Believe The Hype!
Double-Header with Ponty Youth – Straight after the senior match and kicking off at 5:00pm, Pontypridd Youth will be playing Pentyrch Youth.
Festive Jumpers and A Choir – Saturday is the Club’s official designated Christmas Jumper Day, and the Pontypridd Male Voice Choir will be singing in the Clubhouse post-match as well.
Live Sport in the Clubhouse – There will be a selection of live sport on our screens throughout the afternoon and into the evening, so come and join us for some pre-match refreshments.
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