Ystalyfera RFC v Pontypool RFC

Leighton Jones wants his squad to focus on expressing themselves in the final few games of the season.

Pooler travel to Ynysdarren Park tomorrow to take on Ystalyfera RFC before a trip to Cardiff Met RFC and a home clash with Beddau RFC – although that fixture is still to be arranged.

Two big results – and big performances – have followed since the disappointing defeat to Baroged RFC and Jones wants to see his squad end the season in style ahead of what is an important campaign next time out with promotion on the line.

Some tactical tweaks and a slight change in style on the training ground have been evident on the field and Jones wants to see that continue.

“I think the boys are playing and expressing themselves,” he said.

“There are smiles on faces and what we are working on in training is definitely coming through on a Saturday so hopefully more of the same.

“We’ve always been a club who want to finish the season well and put on a good show.

“The grounds are at a standard now that allows us to play that nice rugby so it will definitely be something we will be looking for in the next, hopefully, three games.

“We’ve been down there in the past. We know they are passionate, they’re a tight-knit bunch and they’ll fancy their chances of getting in to us.

“We’ve got to worry about ourselves, our discipline, keeping the penalty count down and expressing ourselves as we have been doing in the last few weeks in our attacking play.

“We know it’s a tough place to go but as long as we carry on where we left at Cross Keys RFC, I’m sure the boys will put a good performance in.”

The head coach has made five changes from the pulsating Gwent derby victory at Pandy Park with Mike Herbert and Adam Stratton replacing Scott Matthews and Ieuan Jones in the back row.

Debutant Zak Roberts, of the Dragons academy, comes in at scrum half, while Lloyd Lewis returns on the wing after his Wales 7s exploits. The other change sees Kieran Meek come in for Joel Mahoney at centre for his 98^th appearance.

“We’ve brought in Mikey and Stratton into the forwards,” explained Jones.

“They came on Saturday and had bags of energy. They are local boys, they like playing together in the back row so it will be nice to see them get back out there.

Young Zak is starting, he’s been looking really good in training so he deserves his place in the starting XV.

“Marcus [Jones] is away this weekend, which has been fortunate for Lloyd as he’s come back after 7s and he’s gone straight back into the starting team.

“I’m sure Lloyd will have a point to prove with the limited amount of game time he’s been able to play for us this year so I’m sure he’s going to be raring to go.”