NEWPORT will have one foot in the play-offs of Tier Two of the Principality Premiership if they enjoy their lunchtime date with Neath at the Gnoll, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers head west to face the Welsh All Blacks (kick-off midday) with the aim of making it three wins from three to keep up with Gwent foes Cross Keys, who have won all four since the January split and enjoy a weekend off.

Newport took the spoils when they travelled to the Gnoll last November thanks to four kicks from Matt O'Brien in a 12-10 win.

They have to cope without the injured fly-half and his fellow 10 Arwel Robson, who featured for Wales Under-20s in France last night, so Geraint O'Driscoll continues to deputise.

Head coach Craig Warlow names the same starting back line that beat Cardiff 17-8 at the end of February. Loosehad Matt Prosser, lock Dan Partridge and flanker Kyle Tayler come into the pack.

Bedwas can take a huge step towards securing a place in the play-offs of Tier One if they cause an upset against RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay (kick-off 1pm).

The men from Bridge Field head north and have the chance to strike a huge blow against their well-funded hosts, who have lost two of their first three games.

Bedwas are buoyed by last week's crushing win at Bridgend in the semi-finals of the Foster's Challenge Cup, earning a tussle with Carmarthen Quins for the first trophy of the season on Saturday, April 1 (kick-off and venue to be confirmed), and can give themselves a huge boost in their bid for a top-four berth.

That won't be easy given the travel exertions and RGC's fine home record but Steve Law's men can take heart from the 27-17 victory when the teams met in Gwent in November.

Bedwas are boosted by the return of in-form tighthead Matthew Pettit while Dan Preece gets the nod on the other side of the front row.

Newport Gwent Dragons lock Joe Davies come back into the second row with Tom Bell dropping to the bench while Robson Blake will provide plenty of strong running from number eight.

Newport (at Neath): L Ap Myrddin, E Frewen, T Pascoe, C Smith, J Morris, G O'Driscoll, R James, M Prosser, H Palmer, G Harris, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, K Tayler, R Jenkins. Replacements: E Whitson, K Bale, T Piper, D Mock, R Tucker, O Davies, H Palmer, T Riley.

Bedwas (at RGC 1404): A Bramwell, P Lewis, R Wardle, M Callow, M John, R Powell, N Griffiths (captain), D Preece, A Rees, M Pettit, G Edmunds, J Davies, J Richards, G Lee, R Blake. Replacements: B Toms, R Hutcherson, C Budgen, T Bell, A Waite, T Rowlands, JS Dixon, A Williams.

Fixtures: Tier One - RGC 1404 v Bedwas, Merthyr v Llandovery; Tier Two - Neath v Newport, Cardiff v Llanelli