After two weeks without a game Newport face a Cardiff outfit at the top of their game. They have had high scoring wins over Pontypridd and Merthyr and will be determined to get a victory on their first visit to Newport Stadium. There’s also a small matter of the historic four losses in a season to be considered.
The Black and Ambers would have wished to get a game or two in following the loss to Ebbw Vale but with the RGC game getting postponed and a bye in the cup round then it wasn’t to be. They have had training sessions on both Saturdays on top of the usual Tuesday and Thursday sessions. With player availability getting better then the coaching team has a strong squad to select from and there will be good players missing out on the matchday squad this week. This is a healthy position for the club with a string of games coming up.
Supporters will look forward to seeing last season regulars, Will Reed and Dai Richards, in the starting line-up. Captain, Matt O’Brien, moves to inside centre – a position where he excelled previously. Elliot Frewen has recovered from a hamstring strain and takes a place in the replacements.
Newport: Thomas Davies, Will Griffiths, Garin Harris, Dan Hill, Josh Skinner, Ben Roach. Rhys Jenkins, Ben Moa, Dafydd Buckland, Will Reed, Ioan Davies, Matt O’Brien, Cameron Lewis, Jon Morris, Dai Richards.
Replacements: Joe Popple, Henry Palmer, Nathan Evans, Ryan Woodman, Kyle Tayler, Luke Crane, Chay Foster-Smith, Elliot Frewen.
Ref: Mike English
AR1: Ben Breakspear
AR2: Stuart Kibble
AR3: Simon Harris
TMO: Greg Morgan