ST HELEN’S isn’t a ground that current Newport team manager Mark Workman particularly relished visiting during his playing days.

The former Black and Ambers lock more often than not came out second best in Swansea against sides including Robert Jones, Garin Jenkins and Stuart Davies.

Welsh club rugby has undergone a huge transformation since then and long gone are the days when the All Whites were feared the country over.

They currently sit bottom of the semi-professional Principality Premiership after promotion from the Championship at the end of last season.

Newport aren’t faring too much better this term three places above them, but successive wins gives Workman hope the Gwent outfit can make it a hat-trick at St Helen’s tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).

Back-to-back defeats of Neath and Llandovery have given the Rodney Parade side a much-needed lift – and they will be eager to keep their good run going.

“We’re looking forward to the game, and we go there with a bit more confidence after the win last weekend,” said Workman.

“There have been some games this season where we haven’t done ourselves justice, but I don’t think the performances have been that bad.

“We got that win in Neath and had a bit of luck we needed when they hit the post with the last kick of the match.

“We didn’t really see that result against Llandovery coming. It was a great performance from start to finish and it showed the quality we have at the club.

“But we’ve got to be careful we don’t go to Swansea too confident. It’s a good opportunity to string a few results together but we can’t be too complacent.”

The Black and Ambers make two changes to their starting XV with Tom Riley and Henri Williams promoted from the bench. Chay Smith and Kyle Tayler are the men to drop out.

Outside centre Riley joins Tom Pascoe in the midfield while Williams comes in at lock.

“Henri has deserved a start,” added Workman. “We asked the players to perform in the Foster’s Cup and he did. He has been given an opportunity now and hopefully he can make the most of it.”

Swansea have won three of the last four meetings, although the previous clash was back in March 2014 – tonight’s hosts triumphed 24-10 on that occasion.

It has been a tough start to life back in the Premiership for captain Sam Kiley and his men, their sole victory of the campaign to date coming against Cardiff at home on October 1.

Newport: G O’Driscoll; W Cunliffe, T Riley, T Pascoe, J Morris; M O’Brien, R James; J Lavender, H Palmer, T Piper, A Brown (capt), H Williams, R Jones, C Attwell, R Jenkins. Reps: TBC