Both teams are locked on 90 points and are a mere two points away from guaranteeing a home draw in the semi-finals. The Drovers have won their last 14 games, while Newport have picked up 11 straight bonus-point wins since losing 29-7 in Llandovery on 25 November.
“We obviously want to secure a home semi-final, but we also want to ensure we aren’t beaten twice in the campaign by any team. We avenged our home defeat to Ebbw vale last weekend and now we have the chance to do the same against Llandovery,” said Newport team manager Mark Workman.
“Llandovery have led the way almost from the start of the season and are obviously the team to beat this season. There is a lot at stake in the game because it could be a dress rehearsal for a clash in the play-offs.
“We had to work very hard to win at Eugene Cross Park last weekend and we know it will be exactly the same on Thursday night. It is a battle of the top two teams in the league with the top spot up for grabs.
“We’re hoping to get a big crowd in, and we will be able to assess what is required when we get into the knock-out phase for the title.”
While the Black & Ambers are chasing their first league title since 2004, Llandovery are eying up a league and cup double. Head coach Euros Evans will have a Premier Cup final to plan for after the game in Newport.
The Drovers will be at Principality Stadium to meet Merthyr on Sunday 7 April and head coach Euros Evans might well have one eye on next week when he picks his side to this week’s top-of-the-table league clash.
“Even if we were to lose in Newport, finishing top is still in our hands because we have a game in hand. That said, we obviously want to keep on winning,” said Evans.
“Newport keep on finding ways to win games, as they did at Ebbw Vale last weekend, and with their little magician, Matt O’Brien, playing so well at outside half they are a huge threat.
“They are a quality team full of good players all around the pitch. They have huge threats in their back line with quality finishers like Lloyd Lewis and Elliot Frewen.
“We are reaching the business end of the season when the trophies are handed out, so the cup is probably our first priority at this moment.”
