WELSH Premier Division players have a chance to prove a point tomorrow night when they line up against Newport Gwent Dragons at Cross Keys.
But coach Steve Jones of Pontypool admits it will be difficult as his squad have had just two training sessions whereas the Dragons train nearly every day.
"It's good to have a load of good young players eager to play and prove themselves," said Jones. "They know what they're up against, but hopefully they'll do well and stake a claim for a place with the Dragons.
"They train every day of the week and they've got to be strong, but we've had two good sessions and the boys are eager to prove themselves."
The premier team squad is drawn from all the Gwent clubs in the division and will be led by Newport captain Matthew Veater.
And as expected from a coach who has always put the essentials first the team will go in with a basic game plan.
"It'll be a good experience for the boys to play against a side who train together all the time," he said. "We have got a basic game plan and I want the boys to enjoy themselves. There's a massive reward for them at the end of it all.
"Hopefully we will all start fighting together after this instead of against one another, and if the boys do well hopefully the Dragons won't have to go for foreign players any more."
Squad: A McLaughlan, W Kershaw-Naylor, G Chapman (Newport), C Owen, N Hill (Bedwas), A Slizny (Pontypool), S Horner (Ebbw Vale), S Mitchell (Cross Keys), R Sweeney (Bedwas), O Jones (Pontypool), G Betts (Cross Keys), O Jones (Pontypool), J Titley, J Salter (Bedwas), A Brown (Newport), L Jones, R Miller, G Gunter (Pontypool), G Horrigan, I George (Cross Keys), G Jones (Bedwas), M Veater (Newport) captain, R Edwards, R Jones (Ebbw Vale), R Jones, S Waldron (Newport), G Lucas, C Traherne (Pontypool). Kick off 7.15pm.
Interest in the game has been strong and a near 3,000 full house crowd is expected, though fans can still pay at the gate. Prices for the field are £5 and for senior citizens £3.
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