Pontypridd vs Bristol: Bumper Sardis Road crowd expected for British & Irish Cup clash

A sell-out crowd is expected at Sardis Road on Saturday as Pontypridd face English Championship side Bristol in the British & Irish Cup.

More than 6,000 fans are set to pack out the home of the Premiership leaders, creating a fervent atmosphere for the stand-out fixture in the cross-border competition this weekend.

Pontypridd’s fanatical support, which followed them as far afield as Ireland and Cornwall in the side’s run to the semi-finals last year, is set to turn out yet again as Geraint Lewis’ side look to make it three wins from three.

Pontypridd defeated London Scottish in their first game and thrashed Connacht Eagles 42-16 in Galway last Sunday.

But, with Bristol also boasting a perfect record, something has to give.

“The home crowd is a massive factor for us,” said Lewis.

“We have fanatical support and the least they expect from us is 100%.
“Our players always give that.”

Pontypridd have been hit by injuries this week, with Owen Jenkins and Owen Sheppeard both out. Chris Dicomidis is with the Cardiff Blues in Rovigo but key man Simon Humberstone starts at fly-half.

“Bristol will know what to expect at Sardis – they played here a few years ago and won quite comfortably,” said Lewis.

“We’d have liked to have played them at full-strength but we have a strong squad and it’s an opportunity for the boys who do play.”

While Pontypridd may have a few players missing, the game is sure to be highly competitive.

Bristol’s strength-in-depth is highlighted by the fact they’ve rotated almost their entire side and still won both pool games so far.

But as they travel across the Severn Bridge, they bring close to a full-strength team knowing full well the task that lies ahead of them.

Matthew Morgan, who has fractured an ankle, is out while the game may come too soon for Ryan Jones as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Ian Evans, who missed out on selection for the Wales squad this week, is likely to feature at the home of his former club.

“We’ll have a warm welcome down at Sardis, I know I will,” said Bristol coach Sean Holley.

“Pontypridd is a fantastic club, there are great people down there and they have awesome fans.

“Their players play with their heart on their sleeves and it will be a real experience for our players who haven’t played there before.

“It will be a heck of a game and I’m looking forward to it.”
 
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/pontypridd-vs-bristol-bumper-sardis-7989443
 

Teams -
 
Pontypridd:

Aled Summerhill, Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Dafydd Lockyer (c), Matthew Nuthall, Simon Humberstone, Tom Williams,  
James Howe, Liam Belcher, Keiron Jenkins, Craig Locke, Seb Davies, Luke Crocker, Wayne O'Connor, Rhys Shellard.

Replacements: Lloyd Williams, Lewis K Williams, Garyn Smith, Aled Morris, Jordan Sieniawski, Dillon Lewis, Chris Phillips.
 
Bristol:

Darren Hudson, Charlie Amesbury, Gareth Maule, Mark Cooke, David Lemi, Adrian Jarvis, Luke Baldwin, Jack O'Connell, Max Crumpton, Anthony Perenise, Ian Evans, Mark Sorenson (c), Nick Koster, Jack Lam, Mitch Eadie.

Replacements: Chris Brooker, Gaston Cortes, Glen Townson, Marco Mama, Craig Hampson, Luke Eves, Auguy Slowik.


Let's hope this game lives up to the expectation and it's a cracker 

should be a great game - come on Ponty - a true house of pain welcome for the Bristolians hopefully

Ponty to join Pro12.

#justiceforponty.

Should be a cracker, Bristol should win with the money they are paying their players but it will be an experience for the Bristol team.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Ponty to join Pro12.

#justiceforponty.

Hahahahahaha.

Good luck Ponty, you're gonna need it.

350,000,000 crowd today, I hear. Ole

13-24 at FT.

7 yellow and 1 red card.

Risca Rev wrote:350,000,000 crowd today, I hear. Ole

Wow so much hatred

Don't be so sensitive Steff. I thought it was a fair estimate, given that you took "2500" to Cornwall.