NEWPORT hand full debuts to wing Alex Cadwallader and lock Matthew Veater when they take on unfashionable but unbeaten Connacht in the Celtic League in Galway on Friday evening.

Newport's injury problems continue to mount. With Ben Breeze ruled out for at least six months and Wales under-21 international Hal Luscombe out with an Achilles tendon injury, Newport throw Cadwallader into the fray.

He joined from Bristol early in the close season and then departed for South Africa with England Under-21s in the World Cup.

But he dislocated a shoulder and when he recovered from that, he damaged a hamstring.

It ruled him out of action for Newport, but he now goes straight into the senior side without even appearing in a friendly or for the United.

"Alex is fit and raring to go and it's worth the risk throwing him straight in," said coach Leigh Jones.

Veater, who joined from Blackwood in the summer, has been a replacement in all three Celtic League matches without going on.

That changes on Friday with Mike Voyle, who has been suffering from a neck problem, standing down.

"Mike has been struggling and it's an opportunity to blood Matthew and have a look at him against quality opposition," said Jones.

That is undeniably the case because, with skipper Simon Raiwalui switching to middle jumper, Veater will come up against experienced former Australian lock Warwick Waugh.

Newport are also without Jason Strange because of a groin strain, so Shane Howarth moves back to outside-half, with Matt Pini coming in at full back.

And young Scott Williams comes in at centre for his first start of the season.

The former Wales Under-19 captain is at inside centre, Andy Marinos switching to outside centre.

Rod Snow starts for the first time this season and it is all-change in the back row.

Alix Popham, soon to move to Leeds, comes in at blindside flanker for his first start of the season and Gareth Gravell also makes starts for the first time at openside, Jason Forster, resting a thumb injury, is on the bench.

Number eight Andrew Powell is out after failing a fitness test earlier today on his shoulder injury.

Former England international Steve Ojomoh switches from blind-side to number eight though he has been down with flu.

On the bench for the first time is Wales Under-21 outside-half Michael Hook, while former Ebbw Vale wing Andrew Wagstaff is also a replacement though suffering from a slight back problem.

Team: M Pini, M Mostyn, S Williams, A Marinos, A Cadwallader, S Howarth, O Tonu'u, R Snow, P Young, C Anthony, M Veater, S Raiwalui (captain), A Popham, S Ojomoh, G Gravell. Replacements: A Wagstaff, M Hook, L Lane, A Garvey, J Richards, M Voyle, J Forster. Kick-off 5.45pm.