NEWPORT wing Wes Cunliffe has come home because he feels the Black and Ambers can re-establish themselves at the top end of the Principality Premiership.

The 28-year-old winger has made the move to Rodney Parade after a highly successful time with Ebbw Vale, where he won two Division One East and two Championship titles before helping the Steelmen finish as runners-up to Pontypridd on their return to the top flight.

Cunliffe is confident that he can enjoy that same winning feeling in Newport despite the Black and Ambers propping up the Premiership in 2014/15 and saved from relegation by Bargoed not having the promotion criteria.

"At Ebbw Vale we played for each other and we played for the badge," he said. "That works and I will take that same approach into Newport.

"I am a Duffryn boy and have also lived in Pill, the heart of Newport, and I want to do my home town proud.

"I enjoyed my time at Ebbw Vale – it was the best four or five years of my life – but it was time to come back home and play where my heart belongs.

"It was a tough year for Newport last year and a lot of things were out of their control but the coaches have brought in a few new players and with the competitive environment at the club I believe it's possible we can contend at the top."

First up for the Black and Ambers is a trip to the Gnoll to face a Neath side that also struggled last term. Not that Cunliffe reads anything into old league tables.

"Neath are a very good side," he said. "They may have finished at the wrong end of the table but that doesn't reflect what a strong team they can be.

"They will be just like us – trying to come back and show that they are a force in Wales."

The Welsh All Blacks won both games against Newport last season, triumphing 23-18 despite playing for 50 minutes with 14 men at Rodney Parade and then enjoying a 24-14 win at the Gnoll.