PRINCIPALITY Premiership play-off hopefuls clash in Ystrad Mynach this afternoon when Tier Two leaders Newport visit Bargoed, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Bulls have been forced to move the game from their home because of building work but will be chasing a repeat of their January success against the Black and Ambers to give them a great shot of making the top four.

Newport are looking good to extend their season after winning all four games since the January split and a success on the plastic pitch at the Dragons’ training base would strengthen their challenge for a home semi-final.

The Black and Ambers make four changes to the side that won with a bonus point against Swansea at Rodney Parade at the start of the month. Head coach Craig Warlow hands starts to former Bridgend loosehead Nick Boyce, hooker Will Evans and centres Tom Pascoe and Tom Riley.

The Bulls head into the game fresh from an excellent win against Neath at the Gnoll, a success that makes them two from four since the split with home games to come against Bridgend and Cardiff.

Bargoed’s try scorers out west - wing David Evans, lock Josh Jacas, fly-half Calum Jones (two) and centre Ashley Norton - all start while former Newport favourite Ross Coombs is among the replacements.

The hosts won 17-16 at Bargoed Park in January thanks to tries by flanker Lewis Weyman and wing Evans (2) while Newport had to settle for a losing bonus point despite flanker Rhodri Jones’ late score giving them hope.

Bargoed: M Lewis, D Dyer, A Norton, D Humphries, D Evans, C Jones, M Bancroft, R Morgan, L Meades (captain), K Brown, J Jacas, B Morgan, A Coupe, L Blacker, L Weyman. Replacements: L Lippiett, J Williams, A Gardner-Key, R Coombs, J Locke, J Pizey, L Bowden, L Smalley

Newport: L Ap Myrddyn, J Morris, T Riley, T Pascoe, E Frewen, A Robson, R James, N Boyce, W Evans, G Harris, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, K Tayler, R Jenkins. Replacements: M Prosser, H Palmer, T Piper, D Mock, J Little, M O’Brien, C Smith, H Palmer.

Tier Two standings: 1 Newport P4 18pts, 2 Cross Keys P5 17pts, 3 Llanelli P6 16pts, 4 Neath P5 16pts, 5 Bridgend P5 15pts, 6 Bargoed P4 9pts, 7 Swansea P6 6pts, 8 Cardiff P5 4pts

Other fixture: T1 - Carmarthen Q v Aberavon