Go-ahead

There were question marks over whether sporting events will be staged during the Fire Brigades Union walkout, the first of which is also on Tuesday, because of safety concerns.

However, after discussing the situation with South Wales Fire Service and Newport City Council, the Black and Ambers have insisted Rodney Parade is a 'low risk' arena where their stewards are fire-trained.

And Newtown Football Club, who welcome Cwmbran Town in the League of Wales that night, have assured the Argus that contingency plans will be made.

Ivor Hopkin, operations and safety manager at Newport Rugby Club, said: "We have had extensive discussions with the relevant authorities and we will not be postponing the Caerphilly game.

"We've got contingency plans in place and the fire risk at Rodney Parade is minimal as the stands are made from concrete and metal and our stewards are fire trained.

"Plus, in the event of a fire, our priority is always to evacuate the crowd before tackling a small blaze."

Hopkin also revealed that Newport's insurance company have "no issues" with the club staging a game that should attract a 4,000 crowd.

Cwmbran travel to Newtown's Latham Park on Tuesday and Keith Harding, spokesman for the mid-Wales club, said: "We've got contingency plans drawn up."

Gwent's other two major clubs aren't in action on Tuesday but firefighters, who are taking industrial action over a pay dispute, are also likely to strike on other selected yet unannounced dates.

Both Ebbw Vale RFC and Newport County FC said they would discuss the situation with their local authorities and the fire service if a strike coincided with a home fixture.

A spokesman for Torfaen council, who own Cwmbran Stadium and Pontypool Park, said: "There are no plans to postpone any events at present."