JOE Westwood returns to Newport's midfield as the Premiership leaders attempt to bring up their century against Bridgend.

The Black and Ambers are on 99 points ahead of the Spytty Park clash with the Ravens on Saturday afternoon.

They are looking to make it 14 wins on the spin ahead of the play-off semi-finals and victory would put the pressure on Llandovery in the race for top spot.

The Drovers visit Aberavon on Saturday before home games against Swansea and Bridgend.

If Newport claim five points in their regular season finale then the champions will need three wins, two with bonuses, to overtake them.

Black and Ambers boss Ty Morris continues to rotate his squad ahead of the semi-final on May 4.

South Wales Argus: CHANCE: Joe Westwood on the charge for the Dragons at UlsterCHANCE: Joe Westwood on the charge for the Dragons at Ulster (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Westwood starts at inside centre after making an impression with the Dragons recently.

The 20-year-old, who can also play in the back three, made his professional debut in January and has recently signed a three-year contract.

The Dragons want him to keep racking up the appearances so the powerful centre returns to Premiership action along with livewire scrum-half Che Hope, another prospect to have earned a new pro deal.

Matt O'Brien will pull the strings from fly-half and aim to get a rapid back three of David Richards, Iwan Pyrs Jones and Lloyd Lewis running free.

There is plenty of grunt up front with four changes to the tight five alongside influential lock Josh Skinner.

He is joined in the second row by Rynard Landman while the new front row is Thomas Davies, Henry Palmer and Garin Harris.

Fly-half/full-back Carwyn Penny is set to feature for the first time in a month after being named among the replacements.

Elsewhere, Cardiff will seal the fourth and final spot in the play-offs if they beat Merthyr, who are fresh from Premiership Cup final anguish, at the Arms Park.

Defeat for the Blue and Blacks would leave the door open for Pontypool, who head to Ebbw Vale on Thursday before taking on Merthyr and RGC.

Newport: David Richards; Lloyd Lewis, Chay Foster-Smith, Joe Westwood, Iwan Pyrs Jones; Matt O’Brien, Che Hope; Thomas Davies, Henry Palmer, Garin Harris, Rynard Landman, Josh Skinner, Josh Reid, Kyle Tayler, Ben Roach (captain).

Replacements: Josh Reynolds, Wade Langley, Chris Davies, Jon Verrier, Lewis David, Dafydd Buckland, Carwyn Penny, Iestyn Galton.

  • Premiership fixtures: Aberavon v Llandovery, Cardiff v Merthyr, Newport v Bridgend, RGC v Pontypridd, Swansea v Neath.