It doesn’t seem very long since we were celebrating winning the SRC League play-offs but here we are preparing for another season and looking forward to a successful campaign. The squad has been training well and there is a good spirit in the camp although it does seem a bit strange not having Rhys Jenkins and Elliot Frewen around. They joined Newport RFC in seasons 2010 and 2011 respectively and have 475 appearances between them. Two great servants of the club who will be missed. Let’s hope we see them at games now and again.
On Saturday, we play Pontypridd in the first of our pre-season friendly games. We didn’t play them last season as they decided not to apply for a place in the newly formed SRC League. Only time will tell if that was a wise decision but with Welsh rugby going through a period of change nothing is certain. In the past our visits to Sardis Road have usually seen very exciting, high-scoring games and this game could be a measure of the standards of the Community Premier and the SRC leagues. I have a feeling that it will be very much like the Newport – Ponty games of old.
The starting XV will be selected after Thursday’s training session when this preview will be updated.
Newport: Tom Workman, Aneurin Jenkins, Liam Newstead, Josh Skinner, Johan Hoogendom, Cerrig Smith, Scott Davies, Ben Roach Captain, Lewis Stevens, Carwyn Penny, Noah Morgan, Chay Foster-Smith, Iestyn Galton, Finley Baker, Joe Salter.
Replacements: Codi Purnell, Harley Ryan, Barney Nightingale, Josh Hart, Joe Laughlin, Josh Reid, Llew O’Brien, Iwan Pyrs Jones, Jon Morris, Harri Dawes.
Plenty of new faces in the match squad as the coaches give an early opportunity to new players.
Venue: Sardis Road, Pontypridd
Kick-off: 2:30 PM