NEWPORT head coach Craig Warlow has called on his players to claim the 'prized scalp' of champions Pontypridd to put their Principality Premiership title destiny back in their own hands, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers head to Sardis Road knowing that victory will ensure that another success against Llanelli on final weekend would ensure qualification for the play-offs.

Conversely, defeat at Pontypridd would leave them needing a freak set of results to extend what has been a fantastic season after propping up the pile in 2015.

Newport head to the champions on the back of three narrow defeats to Llandovery, Carmarthen Quins and Cross Keys and Warlow wants his side to get their mojo back.

"It's still all the play for and the ball will be in our court if we put in a big performance," said the former fly-half.

"There's no doubt that we've hit a stumbling block of late by being pipped at the post but we are still in there fighting, which is a new experience for us at this stage of the season.

"There will be something to play for against Llanelli regardless of how things go but this is a big opportunity for us.

"If you want big prizes then you have to go to big teams and win, and they don't come any bigger than Pontypridd who have been the best team in Wales for what seems like forever.

"They are the benchmark but lots of us have muscled in this season and challenged them. The prized scalp of Pontypridd is valued above all others and we have to use that as inspiration."

Newport pushed Ponty all the way at Rodney Parade in September, taking a pair of bonuses from a 44-38 defeat, but haven't won at Sardis Road since 2006 when Jason Tovey scored a try along with prop Gethin Robinson and wing Nathan Williams.

"We will have to do everything well to win there but the biggest thing that I am looking for is energy," said Warlow.

"We lacked that in our three games in a week; we just didn't perform and now I want the players to get off the line in attack and defence, taking that opportunity to challenge the best team in Wales."

Scrum-half Owen Davies will not feature as he is playing for Cardiff University in Wednesday's varsity game so Ryan James and Aeron Bidgood will share the duties.