NEWPORT will be hoping to kick-start their season under the lights at Rodney Parade tonight, but head coach Craig Warlow knows it won’t be easy against a side like Pontypridd (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Black and Ambers go into the Principality Premiership eastern conference clash having failed to pick up a single point so far this term.

Their first game of the campaign ended in a 31-19 home defeat by Cardiff, while Warlow’s men lost 29-7 away to Bedwas last Saturday.

In fairness to Newport, Bedwas and Cardiff have started off like a house on fire, with both gunning for a third successive victory tomorrow.

However, Warlow is well aware that Newport’s performances haven’t been good enough.

“Disappointment is the overriding emotion,” he said. “We’re disappointed with our application and inability to sustain pressure by doing the basics well.

“Every time we’ve gone into a season we’ve had specific goals, one of those was to continue to be a passing team.

“The stats prove that hasn’t been the case in the first two games, so we’ve got to find a reason why.

“We’ve got to keep pressure on teams by holding onto the ball and that gives us opportunities to control periods of the game.

“We’ve had quite a big influx of new players but what we want them to do is no different from what they have done previously, but it’s not as if it’s just the new boys who are making mistakes.

“There is a lot of room for improvement.”

As for Pontypridd, they reacted to a first ever home loss to Bedwas by downing Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park a week ago.

“They’ve done well to go to Ebbw Vale and win on a Friday night, and I’m expecting them to come to us with a great deal of confidence,” added Warlow.

“Our pitch will allow for fast rugby and they like to play that way, as we do.”

New recruits such as winger Harri Lang and back-rower Morgan Burgess have impressed Warlow despite never playing in the Premiership before.

But, as a whole, Warlow reckons the club’s newest recruits will need to find a voice as they adapt to their roles at Rodney Parade.

“Their intentions are all very good,” he said. “They are going to have to cultivate more of a voice and more leadership as the season goes on. They’ve applied themselves really well so far and the next stage is going to be assuming a role within the club that requires them to be more vocal, and that comes with performances.

“Guys like Harri Lang and Morgan Burgess have never played in the Premiership before, and we need to add more players like them.”

Second row James Little is ruled out of tonight’s match after suffering a serious ankle injury last weekend.