NEWBRIDGE will hope that their Championship form translates into a Swalec Cup run with Nathan Brew looking to continue to enjoy his unexpected comeback.

The 32-year-old former Newport and Dragons centre/wing has been tempted out of retirement by his old teammates Neil Edwards and Matthew J Watkins, who have taken over the reins at the Welfare Ground.

Brew, a try scorer when capped by Wales against Romania in 2003, hadn’t played since turning out for Neath in April 2012 but has played his part in helping ‘Bridge turn around their fortunes.

They waited until December for their first triumph of the campaign but have won five of their last six to climb from bottom of the table to 11th.

“I am enjoying it and it’s a release from working every day,” said Brew, whose company Skills Wales have been doing workshops with Dragons players to prepare them for life after rugby.

“It was a bit of a shock to the body, and I’ve been aching after games, but things are coming back slowly but surely!

“We have been climbing the table and things have been coming along nicely but we know that it will be a tough test at Merthyr.”

The Ironmen, whose coaching team includes ex-Cross Keys hooker Garry Horrigan and former Dragons Jamie Ringer and Lee Jarvis, have impressed after being promoted to the Championship. They sit fifth in the table and triumphed 15-9 when the sides met at the Welfare Ground in November.