THREE Newport players who are on their way from Rodney Parade all feature in the team for tonight's vital Welsh/ Scottish League clash at Swansea (5.30pm).

Newport cannot afford another slip-up, even if they haven't won at St Helen's for more than 25 years, after their home defeat at the hands of Neath on Wednesday.

But coach Ian McIntosh insists he has faith in his squad, and has no hesitation in picking Emyr Lewis, Matthew Watkins and Peter Buxton, who are joining Pontypridd, Llanelli and Gloucester, respectively.

On top of these departures, McIntosh has to grapple with the loss through injury of first choice half-backs Ofisa Tonu'u and Shane Howarth, with reserve scrum-half Dale Burn also out.

Lewis, who had a hand injury and has been away on sevens duty, makes only his third appearance of the season.

Watkins moves to his favourite centre position, though at 12 rather than his preferred 13 spot, despite a poor performance on the wing against Neath.

Scrum-half Llyr Lane makes his first start of the season but he has gained valuable experience with Ebbw Vale while Jason Strange replaces Howarth for his eighth league start this season.

McIntosh also rotates the front row, with Ceri Jones, Paul Young and Chris Anthony starting, Jones for the first time since the Ebbw Vale game on Boxing day.

Joe Powell and Alix Popham were pushing for a place in the back row, but McIntosh did not want to make any more changes.

Explaining the selection of Lewis and Watkins, in particular, McIntosh said: "Emyr is very much a part of us, he hasn't been playing because he broke his hand, then went back to sevens.

"But I can't keep him here without playing, I'm happy that he's matured a lot playing sevens.

"Matthew accepts he had a bad game against Neath and it's easy to say he doesn't want to play, but he has assured me he does.

"Matthew and Andy Marinos did well against Ebbw Vale and Glasgow and they are there on merit.

"Llyr has been as keen as mustard since being back with us and won't let us down while Jason Strange has been frustrated all season, now he's got a chance.

"In fact, it's time for everyone to stand up and be counted.

"There is pressure, we've had a big loss and now we've got to pick one up on the road and go for it.

"We have got to have faith in the squad, and I do believe we'll get over it.

"We have got major injuries, but it's time for others to put their hand up after waiting in the wings. It is a challenge to the players and the coaching staff."

Newport team: E Lewis, M Mostyn, A Marinos, M Watkins, B Breeze, J Strange, L Lane, C Jones, P Young, R Snow, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, P Buxton, A Powell, J Forster. Replacements: A Garvey, J Richards, R Snow, M Voyle, J Powell, J Pritchard, M Pini. Kick off 5.30pm.

* Pictured: Newport's Emyr Lewis