Pontypridd club captain Dale McIntosh has finally given up hope of taking a place on the bench for this Sunday's Parker Pen Shield clash with Sale.

McIntosh would have been on the bench, with scrum-half Paul John continuing as first-team skipper, but he has admitted defeat in his battle to overcome a hairline ankle fracture.

The problem has plagued McIntosh for several weeks, although he was among Ponty's replacements for the Principality Cup final against Llanelli last weekend.

Coach Lynn Howells has made one enforced charge from the starting XV that recorded a thrilling 20-17 victory over the Scarlets.

Wing Matthew Nuthall is ineligible for the Shield competition, so Richard Johnston takes over as Ponty look to complete a quickfire cup double.

McIntosh, plus the ineligible pair of Nicky Little and Cory Harris, drop off the bench, with Richard Field, Jason Lewis and Glenn Remnant all handed call-ups.

"Losing a player of Dale's absence is a blow," admitted coach Lyn Howells. "But he will be travelling with the squad and staying overnight before the game."

"It would make a big statement for Welsh rugby if we could win the final," said Howells, who knows victory would also secure prized Heineken Cup qualification next season.

"But we know that we will be playing against probably the in-form side in England at the moment.

"Sale play a fantastic style of rugby - their pace and style is good for the game - and you've only got to look at the opposition they play week in, week out to understand how good they are."

"Maybe English opposition focuses the mind a little more," Howells added. "The boys know that they've had to raise their game, which has certainly been good for player development.

"I think the semi-final victory over London Irish made people sit up and take notice of us.

"There was a three-minute spell in that game when we defended our line as Irish threw everything at us, and we didn't allow them to score.

"It epitomised the players' commitment and underlined how everyone at this club is in it for each other.

"A lot of people now think Ponty are a good side, and it is good to see a Welsh club playing rugby of that style and commitment, but we are not the finished article by a long, long way."

Ponty will be roared on by a 7,000-strong travelling army of supporters, a prospect Howells described perfectly in just one word - fabulous.

"The supporters' commitment does influence the players - you could see that in the Principality Cup final - which is another positive aspect of this club," he said.

Elsewhere, the club have continued their recruitment drive for next season by signing former Wales and Gloucester captain Kingsley Jones.

The 32-year-old flanker has further strengthened back-resources already swelled by his fellow Welsh international Geraint Lewis' return to Sardis Road from Swansea.

Jones, who won the last of his 10 Test caps against South Africa in 1998, was a Ponty player before embarking on stints with Ebbw Vale, Gloucester and latterly Worcester.

"I am delighted Kingsley has joined us - he will be a big influence on the squad," added Howells.

Pontypridd team to play Sale in the Parker Pen European Shield final at Kassam Stadium, Oxford, on Sunday.

Team: B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Bryant, R Johnston; C Sweeney, P John (capt); G Jenkins, M Davies, D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, N Kelly, R Parks, M Owen.

Replacements: M Rees, S Cronk, G Remnant, R Field, G Baber, J Lewis, S James.