NEWPORT aim to end a six-week wait for rugby with safe passage through to the second round of the Swalec Cup when they host Carmarthen Quins this afternoon.

The Black and Ambers have been frustrated by the weather since thumping Neath in the Principality Premiership on December 5.

Last Sunday's clash with the Quins was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch but they try again this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm) with the victors rewarded with a home tie against either Pontypool or Bedwas.

Newport are without captain and lock Adam Brown and full-back Llywarch ap Myrddin as they have been selected for the Dragons Premiership Select XV's British and Irish Cup game in Jersey but they do enjoy the presence of tighthead Alex Jeffries.

Elliot Frewen shifts to 15 with Jon Morris coming in on the wing, the pair forming a dangerous back three with Wes Cunliffe, while Joe Cullimore gets the nod at openside.

Newport were knocked out by the Quins in the quarter-finals last year but took the spoils 30-22 out west in the league in October.

Pooler and Bedwas will also try again this afternoon with the hosts attempting to claim a morale-boosting Premiership scalp to aid their Swalec Championship promotion charge.

Pontypool have lost just twice this season, to Swansea home and away, and will present a stern challenge for a Bedwas squad that is down to the bare bones.

Head coach Steve Law isn't blessed with a wealth of options, as is shown by his bench featuring three props in Brynley Toms, Keiron Jenkins and Joe Mills.

Bedwas make one change to the XV that was supposed to take to the field last week with Rory Budina returning on the wing against his former side.

Newport (v Carmarthen Quins): E Frewen, W Cunliffe, H Palmer, A James, J Morris, J Mogg, R James, J Lavender, E Whitson, A Jeffries, R Jones, D Partridge, R Jenkins, J Cullimore, B Lampitt. Replacements: H Palmer, T Piper, J Greenfield, B Morgan, J Goodey, A Bidgood, P King, O Williams.

Pontypool (v Bedwas): J Hurley, N Brooks, P Lewis, S Tuipulotu, R Usher, T Hancock, R Dyer, J Jeune, B Parry (captain), J Popple, M Thomas, E Ferriman, G Rusby-Davies, N Hudd, J Williams. Replacements: TBC

Bedwas (at Pontypool): J Dixon, R Budina, A Williams, M Callow, M John, R Powell, L Crane, D Preece (captain), R Wilkes, M Pettit, G Edmunds, S Feehan, J Sawyer, G Lee, A Waite. Replacements: A Rees, B Toms, K Jenkins, J Mills, G Williams, T Rowlands, R Verley, A Evans.

Other fixtures: Neath v Bargoed, Narberth v Merthyr

- Wednesday's Foster's Challenge Cup clash between Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys will now be played at Centre of Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach rather than Eugene Cross Park (kick-off 8pm).