Many thought that the Black & Ambers were unlucky to lose narrowly to Bridgend, Cardiff and Ebbw Vale but hope of turning things around were dashed at Bedwas. They did lead 16-15 going into the last quarter but then leaked two tries and in truth did not deserve to win.
Any hopes of the long injury list reducing have also been dashed with recently returned centre Nathan Edwards and back-row Ross Gibbon now returning to the list with back and hamstring problems respectively and a new addition is promising wing Jonathan Morris.
This now brings the injury list to 11 players of which an incredible five are due to shoulder injuries. To add to Newport’s problems captain Ollie Griffiths misses yet another match. Having missed two matches due to call ups to Cross Keys in the British & Irish Cup competition he will now miss Saturday’s match due to a call up to the regional Dragons side.
Newport: Geraint O’Driscoll, Luke Morgan, Dan Robinson, Jamie Murphy, Elliot Frewen, Julian Mogg, Owen Davies, James Greenfield, Hugh Gustafson, Alex Jeffries, Adam Brown (capt), Adam Frampton, Sam Waldron, Rhys Jenkins, Sam Cross.
Replacements: Dale Rogers, Evan Whitson, Liam Jenkins, Craig Davies, Sam Feehan, Jonathan Lewis, Andrew Quick, Barney Nightingale.
Llanelli: Frazer Climo, Gareth Walters, Richard Thomas, Johnny Lewis, Sam Evans, Stuart Morris, Justin James, Roy Jones, Darran Harris, Aled Hopkins, Adam Powell (capt), Ed Price, Roy Osborn, Duane Eager, Craig Price.
Replacements : Sam Martin, Torin Myhill, Gareth Harvard, Tom Phillips, Owain Morgan, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Davies
