When the two teams met on the opening day of the season at Rodney Parade there were more than 2,000 fans at the game. They saw the Black & Ambers run out winners by 38-27, and Pooler lay down a pretty good marker after finally gaining promotion back to the top-flight.
All the signs are that there could be an even bigger crowd for the eagerly awaited return fixture, with all roads once again leading to Pontypool Park.
“It’s going to be a Christmas cracker and a game for which we’ve been waiting for a very long time. Tickets have gone really well, and it is going to be for the huge town and the club,” said Pooler’s director or rugby, Jones.
“We owe them one after they beat us on the opening day of the season at Rodney Parade. We’ve been waiting for this game ever since to try to get even.
“There are lots of players who have played for both clubs and the tension and atmosphere has been building all week. We’ve got groups of fans coming for their office parties, old friends meeting up and families coming for a big day out.
“We have to thank the WRU for giving us this fixture. It is going to be a special occasion and so many pubs and clubs in the town are going to benefit.”
The game at Rodney Parade may have ended in a 38-27 victory for the Black & Ambers, but on their first game back in the top-flight since 2012 Pooler showed their potential. They are currently in the top four but haven’t played since 18 November for a variety of reasons.
“The break we’ve had has helped us get a few players back from injury, but it has definitely upset our rhythm and momentum. We’ve upped the intensity in training this week, but there is no real substitute for playing,” added Jones.
“We’ve been playing on the fact we haven’t lost a home league game at the Park since 2016, and the players are determined to keep the winning run going.”
Jones still doesn’t have props Sam Cochrane and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths fit to play. That has led to the recruitment of Cardiff Met’s prop Jordan Morris, who is also in the Transition Academy at the Dragons.
Newport will be going into the game on the back of a nine try win at Bridgend last week – the last team Pooler played and lost to at the Brewery Field. The good news for head coach Ty Morris is that Matt O’Brien, man of the match against the Ravens, will be free to play as the Dragons side he helps to coach play on Boxing Day.
