Newport face Merthyr on Saturday at Rodney Parade in a big game for both clubs. Merthyr are sitting in third place in the premier League and need points to get into the first two places and earn a home tie in the play-offs while Newport are chasing Aberavon and Ebbw Vale to get into the top four. Both clubs are on a winning run and the result could depend on each team’s form on the day.
The Black and Ambers took the spoils against a good Carmarthen outfit on Tuesday in a high-scoring, entertaining feast of running rugby but the coaching team knows that Saturday’s game is likely to be a sterner test. The visitors have a big, powerful pack and some hard running backs and they are a tough team to beat.
In the middle of a very busy April, Ty Morris again rotates the squad with nine changes to the starting fifteen. Ryan Woodman returns from Wales U20s duty to take a place in the second row allowing Craig Hudd a well earned breather.
It will be good for some of our younger players to experience playing at Rodney Parade and if the weather is fine then we can expect an exciting game.
Newport: Thomas Davies, Henry Palmer, Nathan Evans, Elliot Ferriman, Ryan Woodman, George Young, Lennon Greggains, Ben Roach, Dafydd Buckland, Matt O’Brien, Chay Foster-Smith, Harri Ackerman, Joe Westwood, Lloyd Lewis, Ioan Davies.
Replacements: James Benjamin, Josh Reynolds, Dan Suter, Craig Hudd, Josh Reid, Che Hope, Mathew Bancroft, Geraint O’Driscoll.
Venue: RODNEY PARADE
Kick-off: 2:30
Referee: Craig Evans
AR1: Simon Rees
AR2: Mark Butcher