Friday:
Newport v Bridgend 7:05pm
South African Percy Montgomery will make his long awaited debut this evening when Newport tackle Bridgend at Rodney Parade.
Shane Howarth, Andy Marinos, Adrian Garvney, Jason Forster and Chris Anthony have all overcome knocks but Ofisa Tonu’u is still out with a dead leg.
Bridgend though have major injury worries in their backs with Josh Taumalolo (cracked ribs), Craig Warlow (fractured cheekbone) and Dafydd James (appendix) all out.
Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, A Marinos, H Luscombe, S Howarth, D Burn; R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, G Gravell, J Forster, S Ojomoh. Replacements: C Anthony, P Young, M Voyle, A Powell, L Lane, J Pritchard, J Strange.
Bridgend: G Cull; R Mustoe, D Bishop, G Thomas (capt), A Havili; S Mannix, H Harries; P Booth, G Williams, J Thiel, A Moore, D Jones, N Budgett, R Bryan, C Harris. Replacements: B Phillips, C Horsman, C Loader, M Molitika, S van Rensburg, S Martens, M James.
Referee: C Saunders (Aberbeeg).
Saturday
Pontypridd v Cardiff. 5.30pm
Both sides had mixed fortunes in Europe last weekend with Cardiff looking to avenge their 31-0 defeat against Northampton on Sunday.
Ponty on the other hand enjoyed a glorious victory over Leeds and Lynn Howells men are in top form.
However, the Sardis Road crew have are facing a mini injury crisis with Nick Kelly, Richard Parks, Michael Owen and Geraint Lewis all on the treatment table while Cardiff have been boosted by the return from injury of Rhys Williams, John Tait, Martyn Williams and Andrew Lewis.
Pontypridd: (not yet available).
Cardiff: R Williams; N Walne, J Robinson, M Allen, C Morgan; I Harris, R Smith; P Rogers, A Lewis, D Young, H Senekai, J Tait, R Appleyard, D Baugh, M Williams (capt). Replacements: T Payne, L Collins, A Jones, E Lewis, R Powell, A Sullivan, N Robinson.
Caerphilly v Swansea 2.30pm
Mark Ring’s side recorded their first victory of the season on Saturday and they will be hoping to continue that when Swansea visit Virginia Park.
But Swansea will be eager to put their dismal defeat against Bristol behind them and will be confident of getting back to winning ways.
Caerphilly: S Tuipolutu; R Howells, R Boobyer, S Cox, T Taufahema; J Thomas, A Chilten; L Manning, C Ferris (capt), D Sweet, N Rouse, P Jones, S Granger, J El-Abd, M Workman. Replacements: F McLaughlin, O Ashman, G Liddon, T Carless, R Skuse, G Williams, A Williams.
Swansea: S Payne; M Robinson, M Taylor, S Gibbs, J Vaughton; A Thomas, R Jones; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, B Evans, J Griffiths, J Slade, C Charvis/R Jenkins/J Bater/D Thomas/T Tamarua/R Francis. Replacements: To be announced
Referee: H F Lewis (Pontypridd).
Ebbw Vale v Llanelli 2.30pm
This is Llanelli’s first Premiership match this season, while Ebbw Vale have already won one and lost two.
Both sides recorded victory’s in Europe last weekend with the Steelmen defeating Madrid and the Scarlets beating Sales Sharks in back to back wins.
However, Llanelli have made 14 changes to the side that won against Sale with Garan Evans the only player to keep his place.Ebbw Vale: (not yet available).
Llanelli: B Davies, G Evans, M Cardey, T Selley, N Boobyer; G Bowen, G Easterby (Captain); P John, M Thomas, J Davies, L Gross, P Clapham, J Cudmore, D Hodges, I Boobyer. Replacements: V Cooper, I Thomas, M Madden, A Gravell, D Peel, S Jones, M Watkins.
Referee: P Fear (Llanharan).
