WITH the television cameras returning to Pontypool Park there’s some extra spice about Pooler’s big clash with high-flying Pontypridd tomorrow (kick off 5.30pm).

Pontypool’s match against the Sardis Road outfit is live on S4C and team manager Colin Brennan said there is a definite buzz in the air.

“It’s a different experience for us to have the television cameras back,” he said.

“I was just about to sit down for dinner while on holiday in Portugal a few days ago when Huw Llewellyn Davies (S4C’s rugby commentator) rang me.

“That brought it home how big this game is. This really is massive for us and we’re hoping for a big crowd.”

Brennan added: “It’s also a nice reward for Frank and Merril Stanton (the husband and wife are Pontytpool’s managing director and financial director respectively) who’ve done a fabulous job in getting the club back to where it is.

“And one of the nice things about Pontypool is that we have good supporters. They are very noisy and they like to tell us what they think!”

Pontypridd have already conquered champions Neath this season as well as inflicting the only defeat on Llanelli during this campaign when they won at Stradey Park.

Brennan said Pooler may start as underdogs but believes they can claim a major scalp: “I’ve got a lot of respect for Pontypridd who are a tremendous side. They are very much a Valleys side like Pontypool and Ebbw Vale.

“It will be a tough ask but if we get the run of the ball then we are more than capable of winning.”

Brennan said that a series of injuries to key players like props Nicky Blake and Neil Giles, back rowers Gavin Donaldson and Jack Lydiate and full back Geraint O’Driscoll have certainly taken their toll.

“We have been depleted by those injuries and we’re not likely to see any of them return before Christmas but we do seem to be moving forward with each game.

“Our main aim this season is consolidation. As Gareth Lintern (Pooler’s coach) said a few weeks ago, this is an odd league to play in. You see some results and think, ‘Good grief. Where did that come from?’”

Pooler bring in one new face in the backs from last weekend’s loss at Cross Keys with Tom Hancock coming in at full-back and Nathan Preece returning to the wing.

Melvin Lewis and Dale Critchley come in at tighthead prop and lock respectively.

Pontypool: T Hancock, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Robinson, D Phillips, N Preece, S Mills, T Edwards, J Jeune, L Jones (captain), M Lewis, K Maiden, D Critchley, R Bowen, C Trayhern, A Brake. Replacements: P Price, C Morgan, S Pailor, B Salt, M Dwyer, N Coughlin, A Williams.