Pontypool RFC v TATA Steel RFC

Pontypool return home for the first time in six weeks as they host TATA Steel RFC in the WRU Admiral National Championship.

The two sides met just last week in the pouring rain at the Margam Sports Ground with Pooler taking maximum points in a 10-try triumph.

Despite the dominance, TATA did offer plenty of threat going forward and will look to do the same when they travel to Torfaen.

The coaching team will look to thwart the danger they pose while sharing minutes around the squad with the fixtures now coming thick and fast.

However, backs coach Shaun Connor insisted players would have the earn their way into the team due to the strength of the squad.

“We know a little bit about them now, they know a little bit about us,” said Connor.

“I’m sure Saturday will be a different sort of game but as we keep saying every game is about us, between now and the end of the season.

“If we keep doing the things we have done well and improve on the things we haven’t done so well then it’s going to take a good team to stop us.

“I suppose we are quite fortunate that our selection meetings are never straightforward.

“There is always a lot of debate around positions especially back row, front row, back three, we’ve got a lot of strength in depth in those positions.

“Players know when they play they have to play well if they want to keep the jersey so I’m sure the boys going out on Saturday against TATA will perform like they expect to and like we need them to.

“Whatever we do the player has to earn the shirt.

“We’re not about giving appearances away, if boys train well and they perform well then they will play.

“For us now I don’t think it’s time to make a lot of changes, we’ve got 12-13 games left and it’s about ticking those wins off and making sure, come the end of the season, that we are in a position to win the league and get promotion.

“But also hopefully beat Neath next weekend and go to a cup final and give our supporters a day out that they fully deserve.”

At one point in the season this fixture looked like it might not go ahead with TATA Steel struggling to field teams in the early stages.

However, they have bounced back from those issues and Connor is pleased to see how far they have come since September.

“I think it’s a great feat where they’ve come from at the start of the season, they’ve recruited well, got some local boys back and just the fact they are fulfilling fixtures is a massive achievement for them,” he added.

“I’m sure a lot of their boys won’t have played at the Park before so they’ll come full of spirit.

“None of us involved in rugby want to see a team struggling so it’s great for them and for the league that they are fulfilling fixtures.”