NEWPORT RFC have been forced to postpone Sunday's Premiership clash with Llandovery to protect the under-strain Rodney Parade pitch, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers had been set to entertain the Drovers in their bid to stretch away from the relegation battle and move towards a qualification tussle for the 2020/21 competition with Scottish clubs.

But with Storm Ciara soon to be followed by Storm Dennis, Newport have been told that the afternoon fixture will be postponed.

Woeful conditions are expected when the Dragons entertain Benetton on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm) and then Newport County host Salford next Wednesday in front of the Sky Sports cameras with the winner of that EFL Trophy semi-final clash earning a trip to Wembley.

Free Press Series:

The Exiles played Walsall on Tuesday night and the Rodney Parade schedule has led to the Black and Ambers missing out.

"The current condition of the pitch, the expected weather next weekend and the amount of fixtures due to be played in a short period of time has led the Rodney Parade management to the decision that the Newport game cannot go ahead," read a club statement.

The postponement has also hit the launch of the book 'He Did His Bit' about Newport legend Charlie Pritchard. A new date will be announced for that as well as the Drovers fixture.

READ MORE: Newport legend's priceless jerseys go on display

The Black and Ambers have won three of their four fixtures this year to climb up to eighth in the table ahead of this weekend's fixtures.

That run of form means they have sizeablele 15-point lead over bottom club Bridgend plus two games in hand. One club will automatically drop down to the Championship with Pontypool and Bargoed battling to replace them.