Newport are still hit by injuries and call ups for five players to Wales U20 and Wales Sevens squads but welcome back long term injured centres Nathan Edwards and Dom Franchi. Debuts are given to new signing centre Llywarch ap Myrddin and prop Lloyd Fairbrother (Dragons) while back-row Josh Hayward is on permit from Bedwas and is on the bench.
Having toppled table toppers Pontypridd last time out, Bridgend will be looking to complete a league double over Newport having already put them to the sword at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field earlier this season.
There are a few changes to the Bridgend squad, with Rory Thornton and Owen Watkin making the step up to represent Wales Under 20’s against England at Parc Eirias. Henri Williams and Steve Winn come in to replace them. Mike Powell also replaces Alex Fenton.
Newport: G O’Driscoll, O Broad, N Edwards, L ap Myrddin, E Frewen, J Mogg, O Davies. D Pattison, L H Gustafson, L Fairbrother, Adam Brown (capt), A Frampton, R Gibbon, R Jenkins, S Feehan.
Reps : Andrew Brown, J Greenfiled, J Monck, D Partriadge, J Hayward, A Quick, D Franchi, J Lewis.
Bridgend: Owen Howe, Tom O’Flaherty, Steve Winn, Adam Williams, Mike Powell, James Dixon, Chris Williams; Gary Carpenter, Ashleigh James (c), Cai Lewis, Henri Williams, Ben Jones, Andrew Waite, Adam O’Driscoll & Matthew Phillips.
Replacements: Huw Wilkes, Steve John, Mitchell Auger, Ashton Evans, Derrick Tredray, A N Other, Steve Cullen, Alex Fenton.
