The former New Zealand and Wales international full back is set to have a scan on the injury, although the early signs are that the injury isn’t too serious. Jason Strange takes over the No 10 jersey in his absence.
The game will be Newport’s first at home since 5 February and their first competitive outing since they beat Bedwas in the Principality Cup on 7 February.
‘It is a long time since we last played a Premiership match – that 27-25 home defeat by Bridgend on 5 February – and we need to get back into the swing with a victory,’ said Newport coach Leigh Jones. ‘With two home defeats in the league to date, we cannot afford to drop any more points at Rodney Parade if we are to stay in the hunt for the title.
‘One thing is certain, after the lull there is going to be a storm. With fixtures piling up on every team, the last six weeks of the season are going to be particularly hectic.’
Wales prop Chris Anthony will pack down against his former clubmates and fellow international David Llewellyn is included among the replacements to remain poised to make his return to first-team action.
The 32-year-old has battled back from an achilles problem that required two operations and has kept him out of the limelight since March 2000. Ironically, his last game for the Newport first-team was against Swansea at Rodney Parade on 11 March, 2000.
Capped four times as a replacement for Wales, he made his Test debut in South Africa in 1998 and was a try scorer in the 1999 World Cup clash with Japan in his final appearance. He also toured Argentina with Wales in the summer of 1999, playing in two provincial matches, and scored two tries for a Wales XV in their 53-24 victory over the USA in Cardiff prior to the World Cup.
Over the years, he has scored 42 league tries for Ebbw Vale, Newport and Neath and his last league try came against Caerphilly in the 46-13 win in October, 1999.
Swansea were convincing winners when the two sides last met at St Helen’s, the Whites coming out on top 52-13 in a game that put a huge dent into Newport’s title hopes.
‘The memory of that 50 point hammering at Swansea last season is still very much at the forefront of the minds of the Newport players who suffered at St Helen’s, so the one thing there is no danger of today is anyone in black and amber taking anything for granted,’ said Newport coach Leigh Jones.
‘The announcement from Swansea this week that the directors of the club are putting it into voluntary administration came as a shock to everyone – no one more so than the Swansea players themselves.
‘But what caught my eye immediately was the comment from both the club and the players that there was no threat of a boycott of today’s game. What it means is the Swansea players will arrive looking to prove their worth to both their employers and the rest of the rugby world.
‘Swansea teams are always difficult to beat at the best of times, but against the background of what has happened this week they will arrive like wounded animals who are hell bent on survival. It’s my view that what has happened to Swansea this week will only make them more determined and more difficult to beat.’
NEWPORT RUGBY: Percy Montgomery; Matt Mostyn, Jon Pritcard/Hal Luscombe/Jason Jones-Hughes, Alex Cadwallader; Jason Strange, Ofisa Tonu’u; Rod Snow, Paul Young, Chris Anthony, Simon Raiwalui (captain), Ian Gough, Steve Ojomoh, Jason Forster, Andy Powell.
Replacements: Adrian Garvey, David Pattison, Matthew Veater, Rhys Jones, David Llewellyn, ANOther, Luke Nabaro
