NEWPORT aim to maintain a superb record in Carmarthen when they open their Principality Premiership campaign against the Quins tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers have won seven of eight games out west, including last season's stunning 25-21 victory against a side that finished second in the table.

"Anyone who wins in Carmarthen has to work their socks off and we have done that in recent years," said head coach Sven Cronk.

"Our results have been good there but we will need to be a lot better than last week if that is to continue."

Newport went from the sublime to the ridiculous in the Gwent British and Irish Cup qualifiers; going from thrashing Bedwas 41-25 at Bridge Field to being drubbed 31-12 by Cross Keys at Pandy Park.

"Keys just stopped us playing and did a job on us," lamented Cronk. "You need to run hard and at weak shoulders to get quick ball but we didn't do that.

"It's frustrating because one of the main aims of the squad for this season is to have a more consistent level of performance but that has slipped already.

"However, it's a fresh start in the Premiership this weekend and we need to come out of the blocks sharply."

The Black and Ambers will hand a start to 19-year-old Dragons and Wales Under-20s wing Ashton Hewitt, who crossed for seven tries for the club last season.

- Newport have rearranged a trio of league fixtures to enable them to play on Saturdays in October.

The game against Cardiff in the capital has moved to Saturday, October 11 to avoid a clash with the Wales versus Fiji Test, the home clash with Ebbw Vale is now on Saturday, October 18 to avoid a clash with County's game against Shrewsbury on January 31 while they will travel to Bedwas on Saturday, October 25 to avoid a clash with Wales against Australia.