NEWPORT aim to ensure a hard-fought away win proves to be a turning point by becoming the second Gwent side to derail Merthyr's impressive start to life in the Principality Premiership tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.15pm).

The Black and Ambers got their campaign up and running with an excellent and resilient 17-13 success against Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

Tries by hooker Henry Palmer, scrum-half Owen Davies and captain and lock Adam Brown ended Newport's league losing streak at eight and they hope to keep the feel-good factor against a strong Merthyr outfit.

The Championship champions have started life in the top flight with victories against Cross Keys, Cardiff and Pontypridd, who they impressively beat 39-21 at Sardis Road last weekend.

The Ironmen's sole slip came against Bedwas when the men from Bridge Field ran out 37-19 victors at the Wern and another Gwent success would do the power of good for Newport, who end the first block of league fixtures at Ponty a week on Saturday.

"Llanelli could be a turning point but we have to back up that performance against Merthyr," said defence coach Lewis Evans. "They are on the back of a very big win themselves and will certainly come here full of confidence.

"We had the mindset to play attacking rugby at Llanelli and need to keep that, playing with composure to put the pressure on Merthyr rather than forcing things."

The Black and Ambers change their props with John Lavender and Garin Harris coming in either side of Palmer.

Brendan Lampitt moves forward to partner captain Brown at lock with Craig Attwell, Kyle Tayler and Reuben Tucker forming a mobile back row.

Scrum-half Owen Davies gets the nod as Matt O'Brien's half-back partner while Owen Williams is preferred to Wes Cunliffe on the right wing.

Merthyr include former Dragons tighthead Nathan Buck, who has returned to Wales after a spell with Ealing, and Newport-born ex-Ospreys hooker Matthew Dwyer.

The teams last met in Merthyr six years ago in the Swalec Cup when the fixture was pushed back a day to allow the then grass pitch to dry out after snow had been cleared. Newport triumphed 31-6 with tries from flanker Sam Waldron, hooker Andrew Brown and captain and number eight Andrew Coombs.

The last Rodney Parade meeting was in 2006 when Newport edged to a 22-8 win against a plucky Merthyr side featuring now Cardiff Blues and Wales wing Tom James.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, O Williams, T Pascoe, C Smith, E Frewen, M O'Brien, O Davies, J Lavender, H Palmer, G Harris, B Lampitt, A Brown (captain), C Attwell, K Tayler, R Tucker. Replacements: E Whitson, K Bale, C Coleman, D Mock, J Goodey, R James, A Robson, W Cunliffe.

Merthyr: M Jarvis, K Evans, G Dacey, A Pinches, M Trowbridge, G Davies, R Downes, L Jones, M Dwyer, N Buck, B Sier, B Murphy, E Siggery, O Davies, T Daley. Replacements: R James, G Powell, R Williams, N White, O Jones, T James, D Gunter, O Howe

- The Black and Ambers' game against Llandovery at Rodney Parade has been moved to Sunday, November 13 (kick-off 2.30pm) as Newport County host Carlisle on the Saturday.