Premiership: Reed return boosts Newport for Cardiff clash

The 20-year-old Dragons fly-half will pull the strings in the clash against the Blue and Blacks that is televised on S4C Clic (kick-off 7.30pm).

Newport have been stewing for three weeks on their opening day loss to Ebbw Vale on home soil after the postponement of their trip to RGC and a blank weekend in the Premiership Cup.

The Black and Ambers now have to up their game against the side that pipped them to the title last season and who are hot favourites to lift the trophy again.

Newport are boosted by the presence of Reed, who was an unused replacement in the United Rugby Championship opener at Edinburgh last Saturday, with captain Matt O'Brien switching to inside centre.

The pair were key figures in last season's double bid which included four victories over Cardiff in all competitions.

TALENT: Fly-half Will Reed starts for Newport against Cardiff

"Having Will is a massive bonus," said head coach Ty Morris. "To be honest we weren't sure that we'd see a lot of him after the way that he made a big impression last season and finished with the Dragons.

"He was a big part of the team when playing so many times for us last season and it is nice to have his combination with 'OB' back."

Cardiff make their first trip to the International Sports Village after losing to Newport twice at Rodney Parade, once at the Arms Park and once at Sardis Road last season.

"We have had a good look at ourselves after the performance against Ebbw Vale wasn't up to standard," said Morris.

"Cardiff have hit the ground running and are clear favourites for the league; we know they are a good team from last year and I am sure they will be looking or a bit of revenge after our four wins.

"There are so many areas that we need to be better in but a key one is the breakdown and our ability to keep hold of the ball and build pressure."

Wales Under-20s international Ben Moa joins Ben Roach and Rhys Jenkins in the back row while former Dragons loosehead Thomas Davies goes up against his old teammates.

Dafydd Buckland gets the nod as Reed's half-back partner while Jon Morris links up with Dragons duo Ioan Davies and David Richards in a rapid back three.

Cardiff are captained by ex-Pontypool number eight Morgan Allen with Dan Fish an influential figure opposite Reed at fly-half.

Experienced flanker Olly Robinson, who spent the second half of last season with English champions Leicester, will be a breakdown menace as a replacement and he is joined on the bench by lock Joe Peard, who swapped the Dragons for the professional ranks at the Arms Park in the summer.

Cardiff won their league opener 26-12 at Pontypridd and then smashed Merthyr 50-15 in the cup with head coach Steve Law demanding the same again.

Cardiff boss Steve Law (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

"We were very pleased with the performance on Saturday, in fact it was as good as I have seen Cardiff play since my time here," said the Bedwas legend.

"What we need now is to repeat that performance. We don't want a nine out of ten game one week and then follow that with a four out of ten.

"We know it will be a different challenge, the field is narrower and Newport will offer us a tough examination, you only have to look at last season where we didn't beat them in all the games we played against them."

Newport: Richards; Morris, Lewis, O'Brien (captain), Ioan Davies; Reed, Buckland; Thomas Davies, Griffiths, Harris, Hill, Skinner, Roach, Jenkins, Moa.

Replacements: Popple, Palmer, Evans, Woodman, Tayler, Crane, Foster-Smith, Frewen.

Cardiff: Winnett; Beal, Goodchild, Pinches, Habberfield; Fish, Hill; Toms, Daniel, Davies-King, Moore, Williams, Hudd, Bradley, Allen (captain).

Replacements: Drake, Tomlinson, Andrews, Peard, Thomas, Robinson, Lloyd, James.