NEWPORT and Pontypool continue their preparations for the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru campaign on Saturday afternoon.

The Black and Ambers play their third friendly of the summer when they travel to Brecon, who will be in the Premiership this season after finishing as runners-up in Championship West.

Newport hammered Usk in their first hit-out in a fixture that celebrated both clubs’ 150-year anniversaries then last week won an entertaining game against old friends Blackheath, a club they first played in 1879.

Ty Morris men ran out 40-24 winners thanks to a hat-trick by Josh Skinner, who has played at his preferred blindside in pre-season with Rynard Landman and new signing Joe Peard paired in the second row, and further tries by openside Kyle Tayler, wing Iwan Pyrs-Jones and centre Chay Foster-Smith.

Newport will utilise their whole squad as they work towards their SRC opener against Bridgend at Spytty Park on Saturday, September 14.

The starting back line has plenty of gas with Dai Richards, who has signed a permanent deal with the club after being released by the Dragons, once again slotting into midfield.

The 25-year-old has previously starred for the club in the back three but Lloyd Lewis and Pyrs-Jones line up on the wings with Carwyn Penny at full-back.

Newport make the relatively short trip to Brecon while Pooler cross the border to take on Birmingham Moseley.

They travel to the West Midlands to face opponents who, like Blackheath, play in National League One, the third tier of English rugby.

Pontypool blew away the cobwebs last weekend when they played two 40-minute games in Bristol against hosts Dings Crusaders and Old Redcliffians.

Flanker Adam Stratton scored a double with fly-half Kieran Meek, back at the club from Ebbw Vale, adding the extras in a 14-10 win against Dings.

Leighton Jones’ men then enjoyed a 28-7 success to make it a double over the Bristol clubs thanks to tries by wing Amosa Nove, number eight Scott Matthews (2) and Meek, who enjoyed a perfect afternoon from the tee.

They will hope to build on those performances at Billesley Common for a first ever 15-a-side meeting with Moseley.

Pooler finish their pre-season at Cinderford on Saturday, August 31 as they work towards their Thursday, September 12 SRC opener at home to double-winning Llandovery.

Ebbw Vale play their first friendly on Tuesday when they welcome Newbridge, now of the Premiership, to Eugene Cross Park.