Only second placed Ebbw Vale have been able to upset the Drovers to date this season, while Swansea have yet to post a league victory at home all campaign.
With sevens games left to play in the regular season, Euros Evans men are only two bons-points wins away from guaranteeing a place in the play-offs. A top two spot could be secured well before they complete their fixtures.
Newport, meanwhile, can move into second place this weekend if they can take all five points against RGC at Newport Stadium.
Currently in third place, they have two games in hand over top of the table Llandovery and ae 15 points behind them.
Even so, Newport head coach Ty Morris isn’t going to give up on topping the table by the end of the regular season and is refusing to settle for second best.
“We’re not going to give up on our target of topping the table. We want to close the gap and we know they can still slip up,” said Morris.
“The minimum goal is a top two finish to get a home draw in the play-offs. We’ve got some big games coming up against the likes of Merthyr, Cardiff and Ebbw Vale and we know we have to win them.”
The clash with RGC is the first of three home games in which maximum points will be critical to maintain their quest to knock the Drovers off top spot. The Gogs may not be enjoying the best of seasons, but Morris knows they can take nothing for granted against a ide coached by former Newport, Dragons and Wales prop Ceri Jones.
“The one thing we know is that any side coached by Ceri is going to be very well organised. They’ll be coming to us feeling pretty confident having turned us over on their last two visits,” said Morris.
“I guess we owe them one after the last couple of games. We haven’t played for almost three weeks so everyone is looking forward to getting back into action.”
Matt O’Brien returns to his favoured No 10 jersey for the game against RGC as Newport look for a fifth straight win to back up their 27-10 triumph over Aberavon last time out.
“It’s great having Matt back at outside half for us. That is the position in which he wants to play and always makes a major impact there,” added Morris.
“We’ve only got one player from the Dragons camp this weekend, Nathan Evans, as all the youngsters are training with them hoping to get a chance to play in the URC when it returns.
“That’s great in my eyes because we want as many of them as possible pushing for professional contracts. We’re also delighted to see the progress being made by Harri Ackerman.
“He has been the best player in the Premiership when he’s played this season and has a huge future in the game. Watching him captain Wales U20 is great to see.”
