NEWPORT head coach Craig Warlow would love the Rodney Parade class of 2018 to follow in his footsteps at the home of Welsh rugby today and bring the WRU National Cup back to Gwent.

Warlow lifted the trophy with Llanelli in 1998 following a victory over Ebbw Vale in Bristol, and two decades later he takes the Black and Ambers to the Principality Stadium this afternoon to face favourites Merthyr (kick-off 5.35pm).

A win for Newport would give them just their third cup final triumph – 1977 and 2001 were the other years they prevailed – while Merthyr are chasing a first ever success in Cardiff.

Warlow, whose Llanelli side lost the 1999 final to Swansea, said: “It would be great for the club if we could win, particularly with respect to where we’ve come from over the last few years.

“I’m pleased for the people who have been there a long time. It’s not just the players, but people in the background like Will Godfrey, Dennis Bennett, Steve Prosser, Jeremy Williams and Kevin Jarvis with Friends of Newport Rugby.

“Lots of people have done, and are doing, an awful lot of work for the benefit of this club and this journey has been for them, and we want to top it off with a win.”

He added: “Given this club’s stature and the investments made since the move to semi-pro rugby, without a doubt it has underachieved. But it has always been a club that’s looked after its players and done things the right way.

“If we can pull it off and win on Sunday then I think lots of what has happened in the past can be put to bed.

“Things like the selling of the ground and perhaps the relationship we’ve had with the Dragons, which has been up and down.

“If we want to be progressive we have to look at what we can do to ensure the club is moving in the right direction, and that means working with the Dragons and other clubs in the region.”

Warlow’s only appearance at the Principality Stadium was for Bridgend in the semi-finals of the cup in 2003 – they lost 27-23 to Newport, who were then beaten heavily by Llanelli.

Meanwhile, today also sees Brynmawr play Nant Conwy in the National Plate final, as both teams chase league and cup doubles.

And Porthcawl battle Pembroke for the National Bowl in the day’s first final.