Garvey Set For Return Against Neath

Newport are hoping their former Springbok prop Adrian Garvey will be fit to return to front row duty against Neath at Rodney Parade on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Garvey has been troubled by a nagging calf injury in recent weeks and was forced to sit on the replacements bench against Ebbw Vale last weekend.

Newport coach Leigh Jones has named him in a squad of 23 for the Welsh Premiership match and will make a decision on his final line-up at the latest possible moment.

‘We are giving Adrian as much time as possible to prove his fitness. This is a vitally improtant game for us and we don’t want to suffer the same sort fo set back we experienced against Neath last season,’ said Newport team manager Jim McCreedy.

‘They beat us with what was supposed to be an understrength team and that defeat virtually cost us the Welsh/Scottish League title. We have made some good progress since Christmas and we want to keep the momentum going.’

Jason Jones-Hughes is in line for a return to the starting line-up after coming on as a replacement at Ebbw Vale last weekend.

Neath coach Lyn Jones is pleased his side will be getting back into action so soon after their disappointment in losing 37-17 to Munster in the Celtic League final last weekend. They will be without the injured Barry Williams and skipper Gareth Llewellyn, who is on duty with Wales.

‘We are pleased to be playing so soon after the weekend and we have picked basically the same squad with a view to giving as many people as possible the chance to put the disappointment behind them. We now need to concentrate on a new competition and ensure we restart a successful run in the Welsh League,’ said Jones.

Also missing from the Neath 22 will be Nathan Bonner-Evans, Bret Sinkinson, Pat Horgan, Steve Martin, Andrew Millward and Hywel Jenkins, who are all carrying injuries.

NEWPORT RUGBY: BACKS: Percy Montgomery; Matt Mostyn, Jason Jones-Hughes, Hal Luscombe, Jon Pritchard, Alex Cadwallader, Shane Howarth, Jason Strange, Ofisa Tonu’u, Dale Burn.

FORWARDS: Rod Snow, Ceri Jones, James Richards, Paul Young, Chris Anthony, Adrian Garvey, Simon Raiwalui, Mike Voyle, Ian Gough, Steve Ojomoh, Andy Powell, Rhys Jones, Jason Forster.

NEATH: BACKS: Gareth Morris, Allan Bateman, James Storey, Adrian Durston, Dave Tiueti, Shane Williams, Lee Jarvis, Shaun Connor, Andy Moore, Ricky Richards

FORWARDS: Duncan Jones, Adam Matthews, Andrew Howells, Paul James, Adam Jones, Andy Newman, Lyndon Bateman, Ben Davies, Alfie Mocelutu, Steve Tandy, Rowland Phillips, Jamie Ringer