Welsh Premiership Preview

NEWPORT v SWANSEA (at Rodney Parade, 2.30pm).

With both sides struggling to find consistency this could go either way. Newport will have to do without the services of Shane Howarth, who is absent with a knee injury (read more on this story by clicking here) in his place will be Alex Cadwallader.

Swansea went into temporary administration this week, and players will be playing fort heir shirts. If selected Darren Morris will captain the side. The All Whites are missing Ben Evans, Colin Charvis and Mark Taylor, who are all away on international duty with the Wales squad.

Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, J Pritchard, A Cadwallader; J Strange,O Tonu’u; R Snow, P Young, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, S Ojomoh, A Powell, J Forster.

Replacements: A Garvey, D Pattison, A Veater, Rhys Jones, D Llewellyn, H Luscombe, L Nabaro.

Swansea: (probable) G Swales; S Payne, S Winn, Gibbs, J Vaughton; A Thomas, S Cordingley; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, D Dorsey, J Thomas, A Farley, R Jenkins, J Bater, D Thomas/R Francis.

NEATH v CAERPHILLY (at the Gnoll, 2.30pm).

League leaders Neath will look to extend their lead at the top of the Welsh Premiership at they host bottom club Caerphilly. The Welsh All Blacks deserve to lead the league, having won six of their nine games in the competition.

Read more on this match

PARKER PEN SHEILD semi-finalists Caerphilly may be sitting at the bottom of the table, but Mark Ring has instilled a sense of self-belief in his Castletown warriors that suggests a victory over their high profile hosts is not unlikely.

Two consecutive Welsh Premiership wins against Ebbw Vale and Llanelli has boosted the sense of belief in the side.

Caerphilly welcome Wales and Llanelli front rower Martyn Madden into their side for a one-off appearance. (Read more on this)

Neath did the league double over Caerphilly last season, recording scores of 43-13 at Virginia Park and 38-33 at The Gnoll. (Read more on this game)

Neath: From – Backs: G Morris, A Bateman, J Storey, K James, A Durston, D Tiueti, S Williams, S Connor, A Moore (capt), P Horgan. Forwards – A N Other (hooker), A Matthews, P James, A Millward, Adam Jones, A Newman, L Batemen, B Davies, A Mocelutu, S Tandy, R Phillips, J Ringer.

Caerphilly: S Tuipulotu; O Ashman, R Boobyer, S Cox, G Lewis; L Richards, A Chilten;L Manning, C Ferris (capt), Martyn Madden, D Davies, P Jones, A Williams, M Workman, J El-Abd.

Out – Neath: G Llewellyn (Wales squad), L Jarvis (shoulder), H Jenkins (shoulder), B Sinkinson (suspended), N Bonner-Evans (hip), Duncan Jones (knee), B Williams (cheekbone), S Jones (neck).

Caerphilly: T Taufahemag, R Skuse.

Replacements: J Murphy, J Thomas, D Sweet, F Vunipola, N Rouse, S Grainger, G Jones.

BRIDGEND v EBBW VALE (at the Brewery Fierld, 5.30pm).

Ebbw Vale have not won in Bridgend since the 1977/8 season. Bridgend on the other hand are looking to complete their third consecutive league double over the Gwent strugglers.

Bridend will expect to keep up their 100 per cent record in the league and record their sixth victory.

And with outside half Craig Warlow on 142 points, Vale must not concede penalties or they will be punished.

Bridgend: G Cull; R Mustoe, D James, S Taumalolo, A Havili; C Warlow, H Harries;P Booth, A Joy, C Horsman, D Jones, N Budgett, M Molitika, R Bryan (capt), C Harris.

Replacements: A Lake, M James, A Carter, A Moore, J Thiel, C Loader, B Phillips.

Ebbw Vale: (possible) M Meenan; L Roberts, R Shorney, P Matthews, A Bevan; S Mitchell, B Shelbourne; A Black, L Phillips, M Jones, C Billen (capt), P Sidoli, W Thomas, K Tuipulotu, T Morris.