Well, here we are at the start of another season. Matching our success last season, winning the cup and finishing second in the league, is going to be difficult. All of the Premier League teams have recruited well and with some of them having developed strong links with their regional teams, we can expect plenty of tough games. Our squad has changed a bit too, and it’s going to be interesting seeing how the new players fit in with our style of rugby. Our pre-season friendlies threw up some strange results. An easy win away to Bedwas, a tight win against Dings which could have gone either way and down to earth with a bump against a very efficient Ampthill.
Games against Ebbw Vale are rarely easy, and we need to hit top form very quickly. They didn’t have a good season but, under coach Jason Strange, they are going to improve game on game. Perhaps it’s good that we’re facing them early.
Newport: Thomas Davies, Will Griffiths, Dan Suter, Dan Hill, Josh Skinner, Rhys Jenkins, Josh Reid, Ben Roach, Luke crane, Matt O’Brien Capt., Elliot Frewen, Harri Ackerman, Cameron Lewis, Jon Morris, Ioan Davies.
Replacements: Henry Palmer, Josh Reynolds, Joe Popple, Craig Hudd, Ben Moa, Dafydd Buckland, Keiron Meek, Dafydd Smith.
Referee: Stephen Alsop
AR1: Ian Davies
AR2: Richard Hughes
Kick-off 2:30
Venue: Newport Stadium