Newport will host RGC at rthe Bridge Field, Bedwas due to a safety issue at their new Spytty Park home, with both sides eager to get back to winning ways, as the top four start to open a bit of a gap in the table.
It is a huge game for both sides, with RGC currently sit in sixth place, just two points in front of Newport, albeit having played a game more than the Black & Ambers.
Newport will have to work on their kicking plans as they struggled with Ebbw Vale’s intelligent kicking game plan on Boxing Day. They were guilty of making mistakes exiting their own half and the Steelmen punished them in the second half to win the game 22-18.
“I don’t think we necessarily lost the kicking battle last time out, but we allowed Ebbw Vale to capitalize on a few mistakes when returning kicks,” said O’Brien.
“It is an area we need to look at, RGC kick well. We will be without Will Reed, so we will have to look at the balance of the kicking game we use, especially with the weather that is expected, we need to be smart and clever with what we do.
“RGC have a lot of different threats behind the scrum. They have experienced half backs in Efan Jones and Dion Jones, Danny Cross is always a threat and their back three have been causing issues all year.
“But we have a dangerous backline too and hopefully we can get the ball to our wingers, and they can to the business.
“There is always disappointment when you lose. Last year we started the season really well and then tailed off to the back end, but hopefully this season we are doing the opposite. Hopefully we will finish better than last year, it is obviously a tight battle for the play offs, it should be an exciting battle.”
Newport are coming off a damaging loss against their local rivals Ebbw Vale on Boxing day, as they allowed the Steelmen to complete the double over them, having lost 25-22 to the same opposition at home at the start of the season.
RGC are also coming off the back of a loss, having seen Merthyr snatch a late win up in Colwyn Bay at the end of December. With five wins from ten, the north Walians will also be looking to push up the table, as they aim for a play off position at the end of the year.
“Ebbw came in with a plan to kick to us a lot, and the errors we made allowed them to get back into the game. We were probably the better side in the first half, we should have scored more points in that period,” added O’Brien.
“We are disappointed with the performance, but we had a review during training, and we have picked up 16 points from the last 20 available, so we can’t be too disappointed with ourselves.
After a slow start to the season, Newport had won six games in a row, but a loss against Ebbw Vale and a few games cancelled due to the cold weather in December has slowed their momentum down.
O’Brien hopes his side can learn their lessons quickly, as they are set to face a well organised RGC side, under the leadership of a former Newport, Harlequins and Wales international prop Ceri Jones.
“It is going to be a difficult game, RGC are a well drilled side under Ceri and they did a bit of a job on us last season at home, especially at the break down, so we are expecting a fierce contest there,” said O’Brien.
“The forward battle will be a massive area where the game is one and lost, alongside the breakdown. They have got a good pack, and an excellent openside in Ethan Fackrell who has impressed against us before with his work over the ball.
O’Brien, who is the Dragons Academies backs and attack coach has been keeping a close eye on some of the youngsters developing at Newport, having come through the academy, and has been enjoying their success as several players like Will Reed, Ryan Woodman and Dai Richards have all made their senior debuts for the Dragons.
“We have some excellent youngsters that will be playing for us on the weekend. Ryan Woodman has been excellent for such a young guy coming into the squad. He has started calling the lineouts at just 18,” added O’Brien.
“Will Reed is continuing to develop nicely, and it is brilliant to see him playing well for the Dragons too. He is playing week in week out and he is really benefiting on gaining these experiences at the moment.
“Like Ryan Woodman, I have been really impressed with Harri Ackerman, another 18-year-old, who has hit the ground running. He’s winning the man of the match in the Premiership, at his age. He has a great head on him, and I am sure he is going to go far in the game.”
In the other Indio Prem games, table-topping Cardiff head to Merthyr for another big test, while Llandovery will be looking to continue their fine run at Pontypridd. Carmarthen Quins host Bridgend in a basement battle, while second laced Aberavon welcome Swansea to the Talbot Athletic Ground.
