Newport go into this game looking to consolidate their position in the league and aiming for a top two finish which would see them get a home draw in the play-offs. They triumphed 25-12 in the league encounter at St Helens but Swansea are a much improved team and the Black & Ambers were relieved to hear the final whistle when they just managed a 21-18 win in the cup match at Rodney Parade. This game will not be as loose as the game against Newport & District and the home side will need to work hard to break the All-Whites defence.
The Newport squad will be selected after Thursday’s training session but a couple of players could be returning after a spell on the touch-line through injury. Matt O’Brien has been back in training and could give the coaches another option at out-side half along with Arwel Robson. Will Evans will be looking to get some game time at hooker to prepare for the end of season run-in.
It would be good to see a big crowd at Rodney Parade for this fixture and for Newport supporters to show their support for these players and for Newport RFC.
Newport: M Prosser, H Palmer, G Harris, Adam Brown ©, Dan Partridge, Rhodri Jones, Kyle Tayler, Rhys Jenkins, Ryan James, Arwel Robson, Jon Morris, Chay Smith, Haydn Palmer, Elliot Frewen, Llywarch Ap Myrddyn
Replacements: Will Evans, Tom Piper, Nick Boyce, Dan Mock, James Little, Tom Pascoe, Matt O’Brien, Tom Riley.
Kick-off: 2:30 PM
Referee: Dewi Phillips
Asst. Ref. 1: Aled Liddington
Asst. Ref. 2: Simon Beard
