Last week the Black & Ambers were due to play league leaders Cross Keys and this week they play league leaders Ponty. It doesn’t get much tougher but there is a determined mood at Rodney Parade these days and players and supporters will head to Sardis Road with a spring in their step.
When the teams met early in the season the Newport faithful were pleased to see a spirited performance that gained two bonus points but in the changing room the players were disappointed as they believed that they could have won. It’s going to be heavy going at Pontypridd but the coaching team has prepared the squad for the conditions and the players are ready.
One change from the starting XV chosen for the Cross Keys game sees Julian Mogg step up to replace Arwel Robson who is on Wales U20 duty. Mogg was outstanding in his last start against Neath.
New signings Jack Goodey and Joe Cullimore make the replacements and are sure to make an impact at some time during the game. The coaches have chosen a 6-2 split among the replacements as the conditions will really test the forwards’ staying power.
Newport: Llywarch ap Myrddin, Wes Cunliffe, Haydn Palmer, Paul King, Elliot Frewen, Julian Mogg, Ryan James, Brendan Lampitt, Rhys Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Dan Partridge, Adam Brown (Capt.), Alex Jeffries, Evan Whitson, John Lavender.
Replacements: Henry Palmer, Tom Piper, James Greenfield, Jack Goodey, Joe Cullimore, Sam Cross, Owen Davies, Jon Morris.
