PONTYPOOL RFC welcome back two familiar faces to their starting line up to face Blackwood at Pontypool Park on Saturday (2.30pm kick-off).

Back-rower Tom Organ and wing Ryan Owen both return on permits from Premiership high-flyers Bedwas having played for Pooler previously when they themselves were in the top flight.

And the pair’s return has proved a timely boost in training this week as the squad go in search of their first win since October.

Head coach, Mike Hook, said: "It’s great to have Tom and Ryan back. They are going to bring a lot of experience and leadership which is what we need a bit more of.

"It’s been a good couple of weeks training full stop actually. The boys have worked really hard but we’ve been guilty of leaving that form and intensity on the training field this season and we need to make sure we keep that level for the game on Saturday."

Blackwood have cruised to two comfortable home wins over Pooler already this season, first in the league before inflicting a humiliating 40-7 thumping in last month’s Swalec Cup tie.

It was a performance the coaches branded "unacceptable" in the wake of the defeat and Hook knows staring well on Saturday will be key.

"We’ve got to put the last two games behind us. I’ve spoken before about being clinical, and we will certainly need to take our chances at the weekend.

"We have got to be first to every contact area and make sure we exit well when we’re under pressure.

"As I say it’s been positive in training in the last couple of weeks and we need to show that on the field now."

Pontypool starting line-up: Clayton Gullis, Steffan Morgan, Joe Blackmore, Chris Macey, Ryan Owen, Sam Mills, Josh Guy, Luke Dyckhoff (capt), Tom Organ, Jordan Williams, Matthew Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Josh Powell, Luke Palmer, Dan Walker.

REPS: Dai Davies, Lewis Roberts, Joe Davies, Dan Velu, Dafydd Morgan.