NEWPORT have a poor record at Parc y Scarlets but the Black and Ambers will hope the surface will suit their expansive style against Llanelli this evening, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade side head west (kick-off 7.30pm) knowing that victory will see them climb to the top of the Principality Premiership before the four teams above them take to the field on Saturday.

After tomorrow’s game the Black and Ambers will be halfway into the campaign but they have already won more league games than they did in the whole of last season (six to five) and crossed the whitewash more times (38 to 35).

A scratch side suffered a 48-6 defeat to Ebbw Vale in the Foster’s Challenge Cup last week but their firsts were triumphant the last time they were in league action, beating the Steelmen 34-14.

The only change to the pack that took to Rodney Parade sees Rhys Jenkins return at openside with Caldicot back rower Joe Cullimore, who was impressive on debut, dropping to the bench.

Experienced scrum-half Ryan James partners young Dragons academy fly-half Arwel Robson, the scorer of the Dragons Premiership Select winner against Jersey on Sunday, while ‘Larry’ Ap Myrddin returns from injury at full-back.

With Wes Cunliffe and Elliot Frewen on the flanks and Barney Nightingale outside Aled James in midfield, Newport have the runners to cause Llanelli some problems on a good track.

The Black and Ambers haven’t won at Parc y Scarlets since 2009 but the hosts have endured some problems since settling into the season with a four-game winning streak, shipping 76 points in losses to Aberavon and Llandovery.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe, B Nightingale, A James, E Frewen, A Robson, R James, J Lavender, H Palmer, A Jeffries, A Brown, D Partridge, R Jones, R Jenkins, B Lampitt. Replacements: E Whitson, J Greenfield, T Piper, B Morgan, J Cullimore, O Davies, J Mogg, J Morris.