NEWPORT insist there will be no drastic change of tact for Sunday's Swalec Cup clash with Carmarthen Quins despite reverting back to the 'normal' points scoring system.

The Black and Ambers are flying high in the Principality Premiership despite postponements meaning that they haven't taken to the field since December 5.

They sit fifth in the table and their success has been down to an enterprising approach in which they have scored 48 tries and bagged nine four-try bonus points in 12 fixtures.

That has been down to a change of mindset rather than the experimental laws that mean this season Premiership tries are worth six points while penalties are now, like conversions, rewarded with two.

Things go back to normal this weekend for the Swalec Cup given that the competition involves Championship clubs, who are still playing with the established points system.

"In certain situations it will provide the opportunity to build a score quicker and it will change attitudes slightly," said head coach Craig Warlow.

"But it would be kamikaze to try and change something that we have been doing all year – the way that we have been playing has worked so far and the key messages we have tried to instil and implement stay the same."

On Sunday the Black and Ambers start as favourites but it was a different story in the quarter-finals last season when the Quins avoided an upset out west despite a battling display by their visitors.

Newport are now a more confident side whereas Carmarthen are 10th in the Premiership with four wins from 14 fixtures. Warlow, however, says there will be no complacency.

"It's a one-off cup game and they are in a false league position – I think they are better than 10th in the Premiership," he said.

"They are a good team and are well coached. They have a cool head off the field in (director of rugby) Ian Jones and a cool head on it in Craig Evans. They will play accurate rugby with a good kicking game."

Newport triumphed when the teams met in the league out west in October, heading home with a five-point haul thanks to tries by flanker Rhys Jenkins, wing Wes Cunliffe, full-back Ed Howley and a penalty try earned by a series of strong scrums.

The Black and Ambers have been frustrated by the weather of late but the mood has been brightened by the imminent return from injury of hooker Will Evans, flanker Craig Attwell, fly-half Matt O'Brien and utility back Geraint O'Driscoll.

The ground staff are confident there will be no problems playing on Sunday despite recent heavy rain and tenants Newport County's FA Cup clash with Blackburn on Saturday afternoon.

- Newport's Foster's Challenge Cup game at Cross Keys that fell victim to the weather last month has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 26 (kick-off 7.30pm). New dates for the postponed games with Bedwas and Keys at Rodney Parade are yet to be confirmed.