NEWPORT are coming up on the rails in the race for the top eight of the Principality Premiership but the Black and Ambers have no margin against Carmarthen Quins today, writes Chris Kirwan.

The clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 1.30pm) pits the hosts, 12th on 18 points before the start of this weekend’s action, against the side in seventh and on 29.

Win and Newport will ensure the Quins are looking over their shoulder with four rounds to go until the league splits in two, lose and the Newport’s chances will fade.

Carmarthen make the trip east buoyed by an excellent win against Pontypridd but Craig Warlow’s side are on the back of three fine successes of their own.

They have fought for victories on the road at Neath and Swansea and last time they were on home soil they toppled Llandovery.

The Black and Ambers keep changes to a minimum with tighthead Garin Harris and flankers Kyle Tayler and Reuben Tucker coming into the XV while Rhodri Jones moves from blindside to lock.

Dragons hooker Elliot Dee starts for Bedwas as they bid to take a giant step towards the top eight when hosting RGC 1404 (kick-off 1pm).

Steve Law’s side sit fourth in the table while the north Walians are third, both teams keen to maintain their buffer over the chasing pack.

Bedwas, fresh from a hard-earned win at Bargoed, have signed former Ospreys, Bath, London Irish and Army prop Ken Dowding and he is named among the replacements at Bridge Field.

Robson Blake, who made his Dragons debut at Welford Road against Leicester, moves forward from number eight to partner lock Joe Davies.

Newport (v Carmarthen Quins): G O’Driscoll, W Cunliffe, T Riley, T Pascoe, J Morris, M O’Brien, O Davies, J Lavender, H Palmer, G Harris, A Brown (captain), R Jones, R Tucker, K Tayler, R Jenkins. Replacements: M Prosser, E Whitson, T Piper, D Mock, C Attwell, R James, A Robson, E Frewen.

Bedwas (v RGC 1404): A Bramwell, A Evans, C Edwards, M Callow, P Pariyo, JS Dixon, N Griffiths (captain), D Preece, E Dee, M Pettit, R Blake, J Davies, G Lee, J Richards, A Waite. Replacements: B Toms, A Rees, K Dowding, G Edmunds, D Crimmins, L Crane, J Dixon, G Payne