NEWPORT head coach Sven Cronk hopes that a Swalec Cup run can give a spark to the hardest season he has experienced in rugby, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers will look to avoid a banana skin when they travel to Tata Steel in round two of the tournament on Saturday afternoon.

A quarter-final berth would provide some cheer for a Newport side that sit bottom of the Principality Premiership with just three wins from 15 games and have been hindered by a lengthy injury list.

"It's been the hardest season that I have ever known as a player or coach," said Cronk. "At times it has been impossible to manage (because of injuries and unavailability) and we have been ringing around trying to get a team together."

Nonetheless, Newport will be strong favourites against a Tata side that sit eighth in the Swalec Championship – as long as their attitude is spot-on.

"We've got to be fully-focused on it, the Premiership has been a struggle for us and the cup can really give us some impetus," said Cronk.

"We have got to be on it and concentrate on what we are about. We have picked up some stuff on Tata and managed to get some feedback from Neil Edwards (who coached Newbridge to a 29-21 win in Port Talbot last weekend).

"As in any away cup game, the key thing will be for us to stand up to their forwards."

Newport won't have the services of captain Ollie Griffiths, who hasn't been released by Wales Under-20s after being in inspired form against England and Scotland in the Six Nations.

However, his fellow young guns centre/wing Barney Nightingale and tighthead Alex Jeffries have been released from international camp, albeit for limited game time.

Sam Cross will boost the back row after returning from Wales sevens duty but the Black and Ambers are sweating on the presence of a number of first-teamers including points machine Geraint O'Driscoll.

They won't be able to call on any Dragons players as they haven't featured in the required five Premiership games.