This game is being played on a Thursday evening as it is being ‘live streamed’ by S4C
The Newport squad has met the target set for them by the coaches before the start of the run of three home games – Three wins please. Not only getting the wins but three bonus point wins has seen them climb to second in the table. Now they face three away games, Merthyr on a Thursday evening, Pontypridd on a Thursday evening and then Cardiff at Rodney Parade (not really an away game). It might be a big ask to win those three but there’s a lot of confidence in the squad and providing we can stay injury free then it is achievable.
This season Merthyr have not reached the standards that they have become used to and find themselves in the bottom half of the league table. They are always a difficult team to play against and the Black & Ambers can’t afford to be complacent.
The Newport coaches make changes but can still put out a strong side. Rynard Landman starts after recovering from his injury. Thomas Davies, originally selected against RGC has also recovered and takes his spot at Loose head prop.
Newport: Thomas Davies, Henry Palmer, Nathan Evans, Rynard Landman, Josh Skinner, Rhys Jenkins, Josh Reid, Ben Roach Captain, Dafydd Buckland, Matt O’Brien, Elliot Frewen, Chay Foster-Smith, Jon Morris, Lloyd Lewis, Jac Lloyd.
Replacements: Tom Workman, Wade Langley, Clay Gibbons, Elliot Ferriman, Kyle Tayler, Luke Crane, Iestyn Galton, Iwan Pyrs Jones.
Referee: Tom Spurrier
AR1: Elgan Williams
AR2: John Darcy
AR3: Tony Davies
Venue: The Wern, Merthyr
Kick-off: 7:30PM
This game is being played on a Thursday evening as it is being ‘live streamed’ by S4C