But the good news is that while he has severe bruising, he will be able to join up with the Wales U20 squad next week when they gather to prepare for their Six Nations campaign.
Woodman captained Wales U18 and was capped at U20 level last season and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of two other Caldicot products, Dragons locks Joe Davies and Ben Carter, in becoming a regional regular at Rodney Parade.
“There is no doubt he has got what it takes to make the grade at professional level. He is still only a teenager and he’s already running our line-out,” said Newport team manager, Mark Workman.
“He got a nasty bang in the win over top-of-the-table Cardiff, but there is no structural damage or broken bones. The swelling will go down, the bruising will disappear and we’re hoping he’ll he alright to play for Wales U20.
“He’s been outstanding for us and we feel that in another year or two he will be knocking on the door to be a regular for the Dragons. Ben Carter played a few games for us before he progressed into the Dragons side and Ryan looks as though he can do the same.
“That’s part of the reason the Indigo Premiership is so important in helping with the development of future regional players. Will Reed is now challenging hard for a spot at No 10 and he, too, has benefitted hugely from playing regular rugby at Newport.”
After a poor start at the Arms Park, Newport stormed back to clinch the game with a drop goal from Matt O’Brien in the last play of the game. With other results going their way, it improved the Black & Ambers’ chances of pushing for a top four, play off spot.
With eight wins out of their last nine games in all competitions, Ty Morris’ men are on the charge and back in the hunt for a league and cup double if they can maintain their current form. They have already beaten the top two teams, Cardiff and Aberavon, and are now only five points off the play-off places.
This weekend’s task will be as hard as any they face this season when Llandovery head to Newport Stadium. The Drovers currently sit in third place, nine points ahead of Newport, and won the first league encounter 15-13 at Church Bank earlier in the season.
The only other games remaining, after Carmarthen Quins scratched their home clash with Aberavon, Ebbw Vale called off their game against top of the table Cardiff and Pontypridd postponed their game at Sardis Road against Swansea, are Merthyr v Bridgend and RGC v Llanelli.
