DISCIPLINE has been the key word at Pontypool Park this week in Pooler’s preparations for the visit of Llandovery, writes Chris Kirwan.

Prop Neil Giles saw red and there were yellow cards for flanker Morgan Allen, hooker Rhys Buckley and centre Dan Robinson in a bad-tempered match with Newport last week. Pooler have not won this season yet have played some potent attacking rugby, scoring four tries in defeat to Bedwas and crossing the Black and Ambers’ line twice when down to 14 men.

However, head coach Gareth Lintern has laid down the law to his players and told them their efforts will count for nothing until they learn to play the numbers game.

“We have talked about discipline this week and they are on notice not to transgress,” he said. “You need 15 men on the pitch and cannot afford to lose people to yellow cards.

“Going down to 12 men (after the brawl on 16 minutes) was a disaster and the players know my feelings on that.

“It doesn’t matter who you play in this league, if you don’t have all your players on the pitch you will pay the price.

“At times we have played some good stuff. That is all well and good but you don’t get league points for that.

“I don’t think there will be a repeat of last year when there were plenty of teams just above the 41 points that Bridgend went down with.

“The league has moved on and while there is still a long, long way to go, we have to start winning.”

Llandovery were one of the sides that were sweating for their Premiership status last season but the signs are much more promising for them this term.

The Drovers are in ninth place and not only have they claimed the scalp of champions Cardiff on their own patch but they head to Pontypool Park on the back of a 52-34 thumping of Aberavon.

Pooler did the double over Rob Appleyard’s side last season but both encounters were close. Lintern’s side sneaked it 13-11 at home and 10-6 away and he expects it to be just as tough tomorrow.

“They are a totally different side to last year and they will be strong throughout,” he said. “We don’t know what Scarlets they will have but the guys are confident and know what they have to do.”

Centre Dan Robinson has joined the list of stricken players with a knee injury but Newport Gwent Dragons Grant Webb and Will Harries provide a boost at number eight and full-back respectively.

Pontypool: W Harries, G Williams, G O’Driscoll, P Price, D Connolly, S Mills (captain), T Edwards, N Giles, R Buckley, L Davies, S Pailor, D Critchley, G Morris, C Trayhern, G Webb. Replacements: C Morgan, N Williams, M Allen, M Barber, R Bowen, N Blake, J Jeune.