Celtic League: New scrum-half to make debut for Newport

New scrum-half signing Ofisa Tonu’u makes his debut for Newport in the club’s vital Celtic League clash against Neath at the Gnoll tomorrow (kick-off 5.30pm).

Despite having lost three of their five Pool B games to date, the Black and Ambers can still qualify for the quarter-finals if they secure a win against Neath, and Munster beat Cardiff in Limerick.

Wales Under-21 international Matthew Watkins will retain the Newport number 14 jersey after Ireland wing Matt Mostyn failed a fitness test on a thigh strain today.

Welsh sevens star Emyr Lewis returns to the side on the left wing at the expense of Ben Breeze, while Jonathan Pritchard, who missed the Connacht game with dislocated fingers and Andrew Marinos, who was ruled out with a knee injury, return to form the centre partnership.

Team manager Jim McCreedy said: ‘‘It’s going to be an extremely difficult game as it always is at the Gnoll.

‘‘Furthermore, Neath will certainly want to beat us in order to gain revenge for their Principality Cup final defeat in May.’’

Shane Howarth takes over from Jason strange at number 10, while there are five changes in the forwards from the side that lost to Connacht on Tuesday.

Rod Snow, James Richards and Adrian Garvey form the front row, Mike Voyle joins captain Simon Raiwalui at lock and Peter Buxton comes in on the blindside.

Youngster Andrew Powell switches to number eight in place of Alix Popham who has a niggling hand injury.

Newport team: M Pini; M Watkins, A Marinos, J Pritchard, E Lewis; S Howarth, O Tonu’u; R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (capt), M Voyle, P Buxton, J Forster, A Powell. Replacements: C Anthony, C Jones, D Cross, G Gravell, N Brew, J Strange, D Burn.