The match between Newport and Swansea is more notable for being Mark Taylor’s last match for the All Whites than its bearing of the outcome of the Welsh Premiership. Newport cannot win the premiership not withstanding a minor miracle in which Cardiff, Bridgend and Neath are heavily beaten in all of their remaining matches and Newport win all of theirs.
Mark Taylor has played 169 games for Swansea in eight years, scoring 330 points through 66 tries. Taylor moves west to join Llanelli at the end of the season.
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The restructuring of Welsh club rugby has also affected the playing squad at Newport. Record points scorer Shane Howarth is retiring at the end of the season and Australian centre Jason Jones-Hughes is leaving after not being offered a contract. Howarth has scored 1030 points in 97 starts for Newport, but coach Leigh Jones keeps faith with his kiwi hot-shot, despite his failure to score in his previous five outings Howarth be looking for a change in fortune as he targets 100 Newport caps before his retirement.
Newport travel to St. Helens in indifferent form having won three of their last six matches. Morale may be low in the Newport camp however, as they are recovering from a 32-9 defeat at the hands of Llanelli in the Principality Cup Final. Swansea have won once in the last seven matches and in each defeat have conceded over 40 points.
Newport have named a vastly changed team for the one that won at Sardis Road last Tuesday with Jason Jones-Hughes, Mike Voyle, Rod Snow and Ofisa Tonu’u being just four of the eleven players coming into the side. A surprise omission from the side is Wales centre Andy Marinos – a try scorer in the Pontypridd match. The match at St Helens will be Swansea’s last of the season and so they will aim to end the season on a high whereas Newport will hope to claim a top two finish, but in reality, as with many games at this stage of the season there is only pride at stake.
Swansea: Gareth Swales; Shaun Payne, Mark Taylor, Scott Gibbs, Paul Mackey, Arwel Thomas, Sam Cordingley; Gavin Evans, John Tenconi, Johnathan Thomas, James Griffiths, Andrew Farley, Carwyn Edwards, Christian Balshen, Tim Evans.
Replacments: Rhodri Jones, Rob Sweeny, Mathew Braley, Chris Wells, Steve Pope, Ian Evans, Mathew Bradley.
Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, S Williams, B Breeze, S Howarth, O Tonu’u; R Snow, P Young, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (Capt), M Voyle, M Veater, S Ojomoh, R Jones.
Replacments: R Thomas, J Richards, L Charteris, A Powell, D Llewellyn, J Strange, N Brew
