IT is all about building momentum for Newport head coach Craig Warlow now, after the Black and Ambers clinched their place in the Principality Premiership tier two play-offs.

A 15-11 defeat of Bargoed last time out gave Warlow’s troops a fifth win on the bounce and a top-four berth with two matches of the regular season to go.

And now that a play-off position is secured, the Rodney Parade side can put all their efforts into making sure they get home advantage in the semi-finals.

They entertain Llanelli tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and then host Gwent rivals Cross Keys next Wednesday evening, as they aim for a perfect seven wins since the league split in January.

“In terms of qualifying for the play-offs we are there so now it’s about getting a home draw in the semi-finals,” said Warlow.

“You’ve seen in European competitions how important it is to be at home in the knockout stages.

“It definitely makes a difference when a home team has a 15,000-strong partisan crowd screaming for them.

“It’s still a big thing at our level. When you’re playing in familiar surroundings it puts you in that mindset of always trying to play on the front foot.”

He added: “We’ve got a few bumps and bruises, and the squad is being stretched, particularly up front.

“Grounds are hard and there is going to be a quick turnaround in games from now on, which we haven’t been used to since Christmas.

“But it will be nice to get some momentum and regularity into what we are doing and then take that into the play-offs.”

Just two points separate second and fifth in the tier two table, and for Llanelli, tomorrow’s clash is a must-win if they want to make the play-offs.

Despite sitting third, they only have one game left as opposed to two for Newport, Keys, Neath and Bridgend.

“Llanelli is a club with a rich history and tradition, and they always want to play rugby the right way,” said Warlow, who used to play for the West Walians.

“At this time of the year they could be heavily loaded with players from the Scarlets who are capable of beating anyone in tier one or two.”

Matt O’Brien is set to deputise for injured fly-half Arwel Robson.