NEWPORT have the incentive of an extra point in the reunited Principality Premiership as well as derby bragging rights when they entertain Cross Keys tomorrow evening.

The Gwent foes bring an end to their eastern campaigns with a clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.15pm) and while the visitors are locked in for sixth position, carrying three points through to the next phase, the Black and Ambers still have another rung within reach.

If they can beat Keys then they will make it a symmetrical seven wins from 14 games and climb above Cardiff into fourth.

They will keep that berth should the Blue and Blacks, who head to Newport for the first round of the 16-team Premiership on December 30, fail to avoid defeat at Pontypridd on Saturday.

“To be honest this game is more about rivalry than a point,” said Newport forwards coach Ty Morris, a former Keys captain.

“Nothing changes for us. We have set our stall out to play expansive rugby this season against everyone.

“One game that sticks in my mind as a big disappointment was Bargoed at home but I think that we have played well away from home and a lot of our young boys have put their hands up.

“I think the block of east teams has been the more difficult of the two and I think we have the confidence to stride forwards in the second half of the season.

“We are hoping for a good performance against Keys to build into the next block.”

Keys may not have an extra point to play for but are not lacking motivation after being beaten 21-12 at Pandy Park in October.

That home loss plus a tough phase two starter at Merthyr and home cup clash with Pontypridd means they are keen to build up a head of steam.

“We’ve trained well and for us it doesn’t make a difference that we don’t have points to play for – it’s a pure Gwent derby and their good win at Pandy Park hurt us,” said head coach Greg Woods.

“We had a good few results over the autumn (wins against Bargoed, Ebbw Vale and Cardiff) and were competitive against Ponty last time out so we’re looking to build for the league game at Merthyr and cup game, which is a hell of a draw for us.

“If Newport keep the ball for a lot of phases they have the ability to be dangerous, so defensively we have to be spot-on while hopefully we will cause them some problems in attack on what is a great surface.”

Keys triumphed 29-22 on their visit to Rodney Parade in May thanks to tries by full-back Leon Andrews, hooker Darren Hughes, wing Nathan Trowbridge and back row forward Ieuan Jones while the teams will return to Newport for the penultimate round of the season.

The visitors are without scrum-half James Leadbeater, who suffered a bump while on British and Irish Cup duty, but are boosted by the presence of Dragons prospect Owain Leonard at 9.

Lennon Greggains is back to boost the Black and Ambers’ back row before Wales Under-20s duty calls in the New Year.