By Rob Cole

Newport will have second row Barny Langton-Cryer back in action again this weekend as they seek to extend their winning streak in the Premiership to five games when they host Carmarthen Quins.

It is the second of a run of three home games and head coach Ty Morris is keen to build on the momentum created by last weekend’s bonus-point triumph over Aberavon.

Lock Langton-Cryer returned from injury against the Wizards after an impressive start to life with the Black and Ambers.

The young forward earned a chance with the Dragons in pre-season fixtures, has trained with the professionals and made his competitive debut in the United Rugby Championship clash with Munster in Cork.

Morris is thrilled to have Langton-Cryer back in the boilerhouse as third-placed Newport aim to secure a play-off spot.

“It’s great to have Barny back fit again after his twisted ankle. It means we now have three fit second row with Josh Skinner and Elliot Ferriman also back in action,” said Morris.

“We’ve been missing Barny for a couple of months, but he has really impressed me since joining in the summer from Cardiff Met. He really does have a high ceiling in this game, and he has already caught the eye with the Dragons coaches.

“I think he can really push on over the next 18 months and perhaps even earn himself a full-time professional contract. He has got all the attributes and a great attitude.”

Unfortunately for Morris, the return of one of his second rows coincides with the loss of prop Dan Suter.

The tighthead came off the field against Aberavon with an Achilles tendon injury and is facing up to a year out of the game as a result.

The Black and Ambers currently sit in third, eight points above Cardiff in the final play-off place, five points behind second placed Ebbw Vale and 10 points adrift of league leaders Llandovery.

Significantly, they have one game in hand on the Drovers and Blue and Blacks plus three on the Steelmen.

Pontypool are now back in fifth place, having suffered a two-point deduction for failing to raise a side to go to RGC earlier in the season, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways at Pontypridd.

Leighton Jones’ side haven’t played since January 11 and last won against Swansea three games ago on December 30.

“It was incredibly frustrating last weekend when our game [against Merthyr] was called off because of the frozen weather. We need to get back to winning ways to help us regain some momentum,” said Jones.

“The good news is that Matt Bancroft, Ben Mower, Mike Herbert and Matthew Powell are all fit to resume, while we’ve also signed loose head prop Mark Thomas. That will certainly boost our squad strength.

“We know Pontypridd will be targeting every game at home, but we’ve already gone to Cardiff and Merthyr this season and won on artificial surfaces, so let’s hope we can do it again.”

Ebbw Vale, who were pipped 17-15 at Llandovery last weekend in the big clash between the top two sides in the league, host bottom of the table Neath.

Premiership fixtures: Aberavon v Swansea, Cardiff v Bridgend, Ebbw Vale v Neath, Newport v Carmarthen Quins, Pontypridd v Pontypool, RGC v Llandovery.

Championship East: Cardiff Met v Beddau, Glamorgan Wanderers v Newbridge, Penallta v Treorchy, Rumney v Ystrad Rhondda, St Peters v Cross Keys.