FANS might be thinking tomorrow's game against Aberavon is the be all and end all of Pontypool's season, but team manager Tony Clarke insists the club is taking a different view.

"The title does not hinge on this one game," he said.

"If we lose, it doesn't mean the championship is over. We have a lot of hard and important games left and so do they."

Clarke didn't shy away from admitting there was some significance to the game though. "It's far from being a title decider but maybe in hindsight it will be.

"What it will be though is a very tough, forward-oriented game and if we can do the double over them, then that will boost our confidence.

"Of course we want to win and that's what will be aiming to do. They are the champions and to do the double over them is massive.

"We just know there is still half a season to play and we shouldn't lay all our eggs in one basket.

"If we win, we're not champions and if we lose it's not over."

Plenty of the players in the squad though will be anxious to avenge last year's one point defeat at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

Pontypool should have won that day and could have done in the closing minutes if Lenny Woodard had gone over to score.

Arguably that fateful game cost Pooler the title so this time around they are doing their homework.

"What's improved for us since then is our defence - and that is going to play a massive role on Saturday.

"We've watched the video of last season's game and the one at home earlier in the year and we are looking to blend a performance from those two matches. Their squad hasn't changed that much.

"Their forwards are powerful and that's because they gain experience with teams like Port Talbot and Aberavon Green Stars. We have to combat that to win."

And one player who could be Pooler's secret weapon is on-loan hooker Rhys Miller. He is available for the rest of the season from Newport and in Clarke's words is an 'exceptional player'.

"He reminds me of Ian McLaughlin (Scotland and British Lions prop). He's almost a mixture of Chris Thomas and Leighton Jones. Anything on the floor and he'll get it. He has no fear," said Clarke.

Pontypool are without Cae Trayhern, but Jonathan Hawker and Gareth Taylor could be back in contention for a place in the side.

Full-back Stuart Lawrence also took a bang last week in the massive victory over Tredegar and is missing from the side for this week.

The coaching staff are leaving team selection until the squad have a run-out at Pontypool Park this afternoon.

And also they want to wait until they get down to the Talbot Athletic Ground - if the game is on - to see how things are down there before finalising details.