Newport have the chance to move level on points with Indigo Premiership leaders Llandovery when they tackle Ebbw Vale this weekend.
Ebbw, in third, currently sit 15 points back on Newport but with a game in hand and must win to keep their own realistic top two aspirations – and with it play-off home advantage – alive.
It will also be Ebbw’s first action since they were on the wrong end of a 43-7 semi-final defeat at the hands of ruthless Llandovery three weeks ago that shattered their WRU Premiership Cup hopes.
They will bid to bounce back and have won the last three Gwent derby meetings between the sides, including a 28-20 win over the Black and Ambers at Newport Stadium back in November.
“We were all disappointed with how the semi-final went against Llandovery,” said Ebbw team manager Dan Haymond.
“To be honest we probably would have bitten your hand off to play the next day really – just to get it out of the system.
“The break has given us a bit more time to look and improve certain things that we had to. We’ve had a good couple of weeks’ preparation, the boys have trained hard together and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re not under any illusions that it’s going to be a tough game. It’s one of those games that could go either way, but I think as long as we turn up and perform how we know we can, we don’t really fear anyone.”
Elsewhere, Pontypool head to the Gnoll to face bottom club Neath with Leighton Jones’ men targeting a win to keep up the pressure on Cardiff for fourth spot.
Despite the positions of the two sides, Jones fully expects another tough battle from a Neath side who pushed Pooler all the way in the reverse fixture back in November, when Pooler eventually ran out 24-12 victors.
The Welsh All Blacks also rallied from 33-0 down with four second half tries at Newport last week to take two bonus points, only losing narrowly 33-26.
“We know we’ve got a big test on our hands. If we don’t look after ourselves and what we’ve got to deliver then Neath can turn us over, and anyone else, on their day on their pitch,” said Jones.
“We know it will take 80 minutes down there and that is what we have to deliver.”
In the other games, Pontypridd will be looking to make it three wins from three under interim head coach Chris Dicomidis with Aberavon the visitors to Sardis Road.
Merthyr host Carmarthen Quins while Bridgend travel north to face RGC – who announced this week that head coach Ceri Jones will depart at the end of the season.
