INJURY and unavailability has resulted in Newport making a host of changes for today’s Principality Premiership East trip to Pontypridd (kick-off 1pm).

Head coach Craig Warlow, whose men recorded a fine win against Bedwas last Friday, makes wholesale alterations to his pack as well as a couple behind.

Nicky Boyce, Evan Whitson and Tom Piper form an all-new front row, while a fit again Joe Bartlett partners Rhys Cresswell in the second row.

Morgan Burgess, Josh Reid and Joe Cullimore make up a mobile back row with skipper Rhys Jenkins among those to miss the match.

Owen Davies is replaced by Ryan James at scrum-half and Geraint O’Driscoll takes on the full-back role as Haydn Simons drops to the bench.

For Pontypridd, wing Dale Stuckey and prop Will Davies-King are both ruled out after limping off during the victory over Ebbw Vale, while front-rower Keelan Marney is also injured.

Centre Gary Williams and flanker Ross Morgan return following long-term injuries.

At Bridge Field, Bedwas will look to get back to winning ways when they host Merthyr (kick-off 1.30pm).

Ellis Shipp, Tom Rowlands and Adam Williams are picked at hooker, scrum-half and inside centre respectively, as head coach Ian Gardner reshuffles his backline with four positional changes.

Bedwas (home to Merthyr): M Hathaway; M John, M Callow, A Williams, R Wardle; S Jones, T Rowlands; D Preece, E Shipp, R Hutcherson, G Edmunds, J Richards, N Hudd, G Lee (capt), A Waite. Reps: B Toms, A Rees, L Bridges, B Thompson, C Hudd, D McGuigan, L Crane, A Bramwell.

Newport (at Pontypridd): G O’Driscoll; C Howells, C Smith, A Sabri, Ha Palmer; M O’Brien, R James; N Boyce, E Whitson, T Piper, R Cresswell, J Bartlett, M Burgess, J Reid. Reps: M Prosser, He Palmer, G Harris, G Bilton, A Everett, R Bates, H Simons, T Pascoe.