POINTS could come thick and fast at Rodney Parade tomorrow if the previous meetings between hosts Newport and visitors Pontypridd this season are anything to go by.

Like their Gwent rivals, it’s an early start for the Black and Ambers because of Wales’ Six Nations clash with Ireland, with the match kicking off at 11.30am.

However, Newport’s Principality Premiership showdown against the Valley Commandos should get the blood pumping.

The two sides have shared 148 points in the two fixtures they have played against each other in 2016/17.

The high scoring began at Rodney Parade in September when a Matt O’Brien penalty from distance gave head coach Craig Warlow and his Newport team a 29-27 victory – it was also their first win of the new campaign.

But the tally of 56 points was nothing compared to the reverse encounter at Sardis Road two months later.

In fact, nearly double the number of points were scored as Pontypridd gained revenge with a 47-45 defeat of the Black and Ambers.

Newport’s cause looked a forlorn one when they trailed 30-12 going into the break, and any hope of a dramatic recovery were all but extinguished when the hosts went 47-24 up 10 minutes from time.

Adam Sabri, O’Brien and Hadyn Palmer crossed late on and all three tries were converted, but there was to be no last-gasp miracle score.

Only one point separates the teams in the league table but Newport are arguably in the better form of the two, although they haven’t fired on all cylinders in the last couple of outings.

They do have five wins in a row in league and cup under their belts, while Pontypridd are looking for a first success in three.

Defeats by Ebbw Vale and Merthyr, both away from home, have made it a disappointing few weeks for them.