NEWPORT and Bedwas attempt to get losses that were frustrating for differing reasons out of their system at Rodney Parade tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers pushed champions Pontypridd all the way but had to settle for a pair of bonus points from a 44-38 reverse while Bedwas were given a 50-18 home thumping by Cross Keys.

Newport tinker with their XV with Matt O'Brien and Owen Davies paired at half-back while hooker Evan Whitson and Dragons tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother get starts up front.

Ollie Griffiths has been pushing hard for a Dragons call-up and will look to catch the eye from number eight rather than his usual openside while former Wales wing Aled Brew starts at outside centre in a rapid set of three-quarters.

James Dixon will pull the strings for Bedwas against his former side while Dragons duo Joe Davies and Matthew Screech resume their second row partnership after the latter was unavailable for the Keys loss.

Their regional teammate Elliot Dee is on the bench, the hooker featuring for the club for the first time in a year and a half to stake a claim for a spot at Leinster after a shoulder injury.

That Cross Keys have made a solitary change to their matchday squad for a home clash with Llanelli is evidence that they were delighted with their exploits at Bedwas.

Dragons fly-half Angus O'Brien comes onto the bench but other than that the message is 'same again, lads'. Llanelli are yet to win this season and suffered three heavy defeats to the men from Pandy Park last term.

Ebbw Vale have started the campaign with three wins yet they still believe there is plenty of room for improvement.

The Steelmen will certainly need to step it up against a Llandovery side that are also three from three, although the Gwent side did win in both meetings last season.

Lock Ashley Sweet captains the side in the absence of talisman Damien Hudd while Dragons hooker Rhys Buckley starts in the middle of the front row.

Newport (v Bedwas): L ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe, A Brew, A James, E Frewen, M O'Brien, O Davies, J Greenfield, E Whitson, L Fairbrother, Adam Brown (captain), R Jones, R Jenkins, C Attwell, O Griffiths. Replacements: M Prosser, A Watkins, T Piper, B Lampit, B Morgan, R James, A Robson, B Nightingale.

Bedwas (at Newport): K Clabby, A Evans, C Edwards, M Callow, M John, J Dixon, L Crane, B Toms, A Rees, J Mills, J Davies, M Screech, A Waite, J Sawyer, D Mattravers (captain). Replacements: E Dee, M Pettit, D Preece, G Edmunds, S Feehan, T Rowlands, R Powell, R Budina.

Cross Keys (v Llanelli): E Davies, E Jones, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, P Uhi, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, R Cornock, D Hughes, L Brown, D Hodge, S Williams, I Jones, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: E Shipp, L Garrett, A Lott, J Skinner, N Trowbridge, A O'Brien, O Leonard, T Lampard.

Ebbw Vale (at Llandovery): J Rosser, S Jones, N Preece, D Franchi, T Watkins, I Smerdon, L Jones, I George, R Buckley, R Sevenoaks, J Bartlett, A Sweet (captain), L Crocker, R Kynes, H Keddie. Replacements: J Franchi, R Jones, L Leddington, R Clarke, C Regan, C Thomas, D Haymond, J Howells.

Other fixtures: Aberavon v Bridgend, Neath v Cardiff, Pontypridd v Carmarthen Quins