GWENT success holds the key to Newport stealing one of the spots in the top eight of the Principality Premiership, starting with Saturday’s home encounter with Carmarthen Quins, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers have rallied after a sluggish start to the season with a hat-trick of much-needed victories against Neath, Llandovery and Swansea.

The successes have kept alive hopes of being in the title mix with five rounds to go until the split, and three of their games are at Rodney Parade along with dates at Cross Keys and Bargoed.

If Newport can turn over the seventh-placed Quins (kick-off 1.30pm) then they will have teams looking nervously over their shoulders.

“When we started the season we felt we would be in the top eight but had a poor start,” said team manager Mark Workman.

“Look at the table and we are not far behind those in the top half and if we win four of our games then we are in with a chance, especially because we are playing teams around us. If we can take points of the Quins then it gives us a chance to force our way into the top eight, which is where we want to be.”

Newport and the Quins traded away wins in the league last season, while Carmarthen also triumphed in the Swalec Cup at Rodney Parade.

“They had a good win against Pontypridd and are a strong all-round team,” said Workman. “We will have to do the basics well and need our set piece to keep going strongly.

“We had a great win against Llandovery last time we were at home and then another against Swansea despite the logistics of getting down there in midweek and the awful conditions.

“The confidence is coming back and we’ve got (full-back) Geraint O’Driscoll showing the sort of form he had before injury while (fly-half) Matt O’Brien has been man of the match three games on the bounce and is stringing games together.”