MATT O’Brien will attempt to follow his younger brother’s lead by impressing at Rodney Parade when making his first Principality Premiership start since September against Aberavon on Sunday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 23-year-old made his comeback from injury off the bench in the league loss to Bedwas a fortnight ago and worked on his sharpness in Foster’s Challenge Cup encounters with Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys.

O’Brien, whose younger brother Angus produced a fine display for the Dragons against Connacht on Thursday, gets the nod at 10 for this weekend’s crucial clash with fellow title hopefuls Aberavon in Newport (kick-off 2.30pm).

Newport have not played on home soil in the Premiership since their December 5 thumping of Neath that saw them go level on points with Cross Keys at the head of the table.

A rafter of postponements has stalled their progress but victory against the Wizards, who started the weekend as pace-setters, would be a timely boost.

The Black and Ambers blew away some cobwebs with the useful Challenge Cup run out at Pandy Park on Tuesday and former lock Mark Workman was encouraged by the display in the 10-6 defeat.

“We were grateful to get a game at Keys,” said the team manager. “The heavy conditions meant it was forward-orientated but hopefully the Rodney Parade surface will be a bit more suited to us and we can throw the ball around a bit.

“But the pack went really well, especially in the first half, and the front row in particular have been rewarded for that performance.

“Aberavon are going well but we are confident and hopefully we can get the win after losing with the last kick when we went there earlier in the season.”

Jack Goodey gets the chance to build on some encouraging Challenge Cup displays with a first league start at number eight.

Lock Dan Mock is on permit from Newbridge to feature among the replacements along with promising Dragons fly-half Arwel Robson, who hasn’t played for the Black and Ambers since November because of a hip problem.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, J Morris, O Williams, P King, E Frewen, M O’Brien, O Davies, M Prosser, H Palmer, T Piper, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, R Jenkins, J Goodey. Replacements: A Watkins, A Jeffries, F Young, D Mock, B Lampitt, R James, A Robson, W Cunliffe