IN-FORM Newport face an out-of-sorts Llanelli at Rodney Parade on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm) with a place in the Principality Premiership top three on offer should they bag a bonus-point win.

Craig Warlow’s Black and Ambers could well have started the game against the Parc y Scarlets outfit in third position had last Saturday’s trip to Bedwas not been postponed.

Nevertheless, Newport remain unbeaten in 2018 in league and cup, and a handsome defeat of Llanelli would see them move behind leaders Merthyr and second-placed Carmarthen Quins.

Four successive victories since the 32-24 loss to Gwent rivals Cross Keys on December 20 has given Warlow, his players and the Newport fans hope that this season can be a fruitful one.

For as well as sitting in a promising spot in the Premiership, Newport are into the last eight of the National Cup, with Beddau or Bedwas up next on March 3.

Llanelli’s previous visit to Rodney Parade was last May when they came out second best in a tier two play-off semi-final.

Newport won 22-17 on that occasion before beating Neath 32-14 in the final at the Gnoll a week later.

However, it was only a fortnight prior to the semi-final that Llanelli were 26-9 winners over the Black and Ambers in a regular season league clash.

Llanelli’s potency with ball in hand was evident that day and Newport head coach Warlow knows they still have that in their locker should Friday's encounter open up.

Based on recent results, the hosts should kick-off the fixture as favourites, with Phil Davies’ charges winning one of their last seven games.

Western conference defeats to Aberavon and Swansea were followed by a 43-15 reverse at the hands of a resurgent Ebbw Vale.

A cup thrashing of Cardiff Met preceded heavy losses against Llandovery, Pontypridd and Carmarthen.

Their indifferent form in the first part of the campaign means they lie 14th of the 16 Premiership clubs.