NEWPORT will hope that Ollie Griffiths proves to be captain fantastic in their Principality Premiership derby with Bedwas this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

The all-action Dragons Academy openside returns at Bridge Field after missing the Black and Ambers’ defeats to Cardiff and Ebbw Vale because he was playing for Cross Keys in the British and Irish Cup.

Had the flanker been in the Newport ranks perhaps they would have enjoyed a pair of tight wins rather than narrow defeats.

But the Black and Ambers knew the risks when fixtures were rearranged in the British and Irish Cup period and sit level on points with Bedwas, who have a pair of games in hand.

Steve Law’s side are still searching for their first Bridge Field win of the season after being turned over by Newport in a British and Irish Cup qualifier as well as Llanelli, Aberavon and Carmarthen Quins in the league.

They were thrashed 44-29 by the Quins last time out although a last-gasp score by hooker Rhys Hutcherson at least earned a four-try bonus.

Bedwas make five changes to that side with lock Josh Walker, flanker and captain Simon Grainger, number eight Phill Rees, scrum-half Luke Crane and centre Mike Callow getting the nod.

Newport are boosted by the return of Griffiths and tighthead Alex Jeffries from BIC duties while 19-year-old fly-half Julian Mogg is set for a full debut after Matt O’Brien suffered a shoulder injury that will rule him out until the New Year. Wales sevens international and Dragons winger Luke Morgan is poised for a debut off the bench.

Today's victors will give themselves some breathing space from the battle at the bottom while the losers will be looking nervously over their shoulder at winless Neath.

Bedwas: H Thomson, R Budina, M Callow, A Pinches, M John, J Maynard, L Crane, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, J Walker, A Lee, S Grainger (captain), J Sawyer, P Rees. Replacements: R Hutcherson, I Jenkins, J Mills, J Richards, D Crimmins, J Smith, R Powell, L Hudd.

Newport : G O'Driscoll, J Morris, D Robinson, J Murphy, E Frewen, J Mogg, O Davies, J Greenfield, D Rogers, A Jeffries, Adam Brown, A Frampton, R Jenkins, O Griffiths (captain), S Feehan. Replacements: E Whitson, L Jenkins, J Monck. S Cross, S Waldron, A Quick, N Edwards, L Morgan.