NEWPORT boss Ty Morris is already looking another arm-wrestle with Cardiff for the Premiership after being edged out in the title race, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers' hopes of a double were ended on Thursday night when the Blue and Blacks beat Merthyr at the Arms Park.

Newport won the Premiership Cup at Principality Stadium last Sunday and needed their rivals to slip up to stand a chance of claiming top spot.

However, Steve Law's men ran in five tries in a 31-12 success in the capital that means there will be just one addition to the Rodney Parade trophy cabinet.

Newport finish a successful season at Carmarthen Quins on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) knowing they are guaranteed to finish second in the table behind the Blue and Blacks.

"Cardiff have put 40 points on most of the teams. Their attack has been absolutely outstanding," said Morris, whose side slipped up against RGC and Merthyr when hit hard by injury.

"They have finished above us so clearly deserve to win the league… although we have beaten them four times this season!

"All of those games were great arm-wrestles and I think this title race was a really good advert for the Premiership – we're all looking forward to doing it again over a full season."

The Black and Ambers have named Will Reed in the XV even though he has been named on the Dragons' bench for their URC game at Zebre.

The 20-year-old is keen to play on Sunday despite the travel exertions of going to Italy on Friday, back on Saturday night and then heading west.

However, a call will be made depending on how much game time he gets in Parma.

Man of the match in the cup final David Richards suffered an injury in Dragons training so Ioan Davies starts at full-back.

Newport: I Davies, Morris, C Lewis, O'Brien, D Smith; W Reed, L Crane, Smout, Palmer, Harris, Young, Skinner, Jenkins, Reid, Roach.

Replacements: Gillard, L Jones, Suter, Hill, Tayler, Downes, Brooks, Talbot-Davies.