NEWPORT will need to pack a punch at Spytty Park if they are to strengthen their push for the Premiership play-offs with a derby win against Ebbw Vale.
The Black and Ambers were doubled by the Steelmen last season and the key to getting revenge, as ever, is up front.
Newport are on a five-game winning streak that has lifted them to second in the table, four points back on champions Llandovery with a game in hand.
Head coach Ty Morris makes to changes to his tight five after a win at Cardiff with loosehead Harry Fry and lock Elliot Ferriman coming in.
The B&As for Ebbw (H) 🔒#COTP #YmlaenCasnewydd pic.twitter.com/PGGqjqn1cR
— Newport RFC (@NewportRFC) November 16, 2023
Promising flanker George Young, who suffered a concussion against the Scarlets in the Dragons’ pre-season win, makes his first start of the season after coming off the bench at the Arms Park.
With Matt O’Brien on Dragons coaching duty, two playmakers are named in the XV in the shape of Jac Lloyd and Carwyn Penny.
Ebbw were beaten at Pontypool last time out and will hope that their excellent half-back partnership of Jonathan Evans and Evan Lloyd can get them in the right parts of Spytty Park.
Ebbw Vale RFC Team News@NewportRFC v @evrfc
— Ebbw Vale Rugby (@evrfc) November 16, 2023
➡️Joe Franchi returns as captain
➡️Harry Rees-Weldon returns on the wing
➡️Alex Howes starts at number 8#FeelTheSteel@AllWalesSport @IndigoPrem pic.twitter.com/TT1SCke93X
Joe Franchi returns to captain the side from hooker while Alex Howes starts at number eight.
Pontypool got a glimpse of the standards they need to hit if they are to be title contenders when beaten by Llandovery at Church Bank last week.
Pooler will be expected to respond with victory at home to Neath despite boss Leighton Jones making seven changes to his XV, with wing Marcus Jones making his first start of the season.
❤️🤍🖤
— Pontypool RFC (@PontypoolRFC) November 17, 2023
7⃣ changes for the visit of Neath.
👊 First start of season for Marcus Jones.
👍 Lewis Johnson comes into the second row.
💪 Matthew Flanagan starts at scrum half. pic.twitter.com/CvMjChlwgH
Premiership: Aberavon v Pontypridd, Bridgend v RGC, Carmarthen Quins v Merthyr, Newport v Ebbw Vale, Pontypool v Neath, Swansea v Cardiff.
Championship East: Cardiff Met v St Peters, Cross Keys v Penallta, Newbridge v Bargoed, Treorchy v Bedwas, Ystrad Rhondda v Glamorgan Wanderers.
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