YOU could forgive Newport fans for feeling slightly hard done by when it was revealed tonight's Principality Premiership tier two play-off final wouldn’t be taking place at Rodney Parade.

The Black and Ambers missed out on hosting the showpiece against Neath (kick-off 7.30pm) after a coin toss used to determine the venue went in the Welsh All Blacks’ favour.

The fact that Neath had staged the two previous league meetings between the teams this season and, more importantly, finished below Newport in the pre and post-split tables counted for nothing in the eyes of the game’s bigwigs.

However, given that Craig Warlow’s men beat Neath at the Gnoll in November and again in March, another trip west isn’t going to faze the Gwent outfit.

Their 12-10 victory last autumn was a bit too close for comfort, but this spring’s encounter ended in a much more convincing 25-9 triumph.

So, while Neath will be wary of the old saying that bad things come in threes, Newport are going to be hoping that three is their magic number this weekend.

“We’ve been there twice already this season and won on both occasions,” said head coach Warlow. “I’d love the outcome of tonight's game to be the same as the first two.

“We scraped a win there before Christmas but it was a little bit more comfortable after the split took place.

“It’s not going to be anything new for the players and I don’t think anyone is stressed about travelling down there.”

He added: “But you never know what is going to happen in cup finals.

“They can bring out emotions that weren’t necessarily there in the previous games.

“We have to deal with that, and also with our own emotions.

“We’ve got to make sure we enjoy the day and do everything we can to win the game.”

Commenting on playing three times at the Gnoll this season, he continued: “Any system you’ve got for fixtures where one team plays another away three times in a season must be wrong.

“There has got to be something fundamentally wrong and they have got to look into it going forward.

“Maybe this situation will highlight the fact that something is wrong with the system.”

Representatives from the WRU and league sponsors Principality Building Society will be on hand to present the trophy to the winners after the final whistle.

Admission for adults is £10 but under-16s go free, while there is a special deal for season ticket holders of both clubs.

Neath and Newport fans who show their season tickets will receive a £5 discount.