NEWPORT take their 100 per cent record to the Arms Park this afternoon latest edition of the famous derby with Cardiff, the first game of which was played in 1876.

The Black and Ambers started the season with a mightily impressive bonus-point win at Carmarthen Quins and then ran in five tries when beating Bargoed at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Nonetheless, head coach Craig Warlow – or rather forwards coach Ty Morris – tinkers with the side to face the Blue and Blacks with captain Rhys Jenkins dropping down to the bench.

The back line is unchanged but there is a new front row of Lewis Smout, Evan Whitson and Tom Piper.

Dragons lock Rynard Landman makes a third start on the spin but has a new second-row partner in Andrew Mann.

It’s all change in the back row with blindside Morgan Burgess, openside Josh Reid and number eight Chris Williams joining forces, with skipper Jenkins among the replacements.

Cardiff are yet to get up and running, although they have had a pair of tough assignments against champions Merthyr and Llandovery at Church Bank.

The Blue and Blacks include former Newport full-back Llywarch Ap Myrrddin while loosehead Thomas Davies, who was released by the Dragons last season, ex-Cross Keys wing Matthew Powell and former Pontypool lock Sam Pailor are also in the XV.

Last season Cardiff triumphed 37-22 when the teams met in the capital.

Cross Keys hunt another home victory when they host Neath, and plenty of familiar faces.

The Pandy Park side started the season with a bonus point win against Bridgend but slipped up at Carmarthen Quins last week, although they rallied after a sluggish start to earn a try bonus consolation.

The Keys management make four changes with Mason Williams enjoying a competitive debut on the wing and Declan Williams replacing Dragons centre Jarryd Sage. Gary Carpenter comes in at loosehead while Izaak Duffy makes his first start at number eight.

Neath, who have lost away to RGC and to Bridgend at the Gnoll, are captain by former Keys and Dragons lock Scott Andrews and also include ex-Pandy Park players Aaron Bramwell, Luke Garrett, Darren Hughes and Ieuan Jones in the starting line-up.

Something has to give in Colwyn Bay when Ebbw Vale and hosts RGC 1404 put their winning records on the line.

The Steelmen have started the season strongly, easing past Llanelli and then stunning Aberavon with a stirring second half comeback in a 19-17 success at Eugene Cross Park.

Head coach Greg Woods will know that his charges cannot afford to start sluggishly against the Gogs, who are likely to be among the challengers at the top of the table.

Bedwas and Bargoed are yet to win, the former host Llandovery and the latter entertain Carmarthen Quins.

Newport (at Cardiff): E Frewen, J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, H Lang, M O’Brien, R James, L Smout, E Whitson, T Piper, A Mann, R Landman, M Burgess, J Reid, C Williams. Reps: H Palmer, J Williams, G Harris, R Cresswell, R Jenkins, G Watkin, M McGovern, D Richards.

Cross Keys (v Neath): L Andrews, W Cunliffe, S Majkic, D Williams, M Williams, J Tovey, O Leonard, G Carpenter, R Jenkins, R Cornock, D Welch, H Reader, L Evans, T Lampard, I Duffy. Reps: C Vaughan, S Hoskins, C Hewlett, J Carlin, J Thomas, I Newbury, I Burgwin, D Fidler.

Bedwas (v Llandovery): J Chilcott, J Rees, T Hoppe, A Williams, G Gasson, J Scrivens, B Toms, A Rees (captain), R Hutcherson, C Hudd, J Richards, J Armitage, N Hudd, J Sheekey. Reps: T Devine, M Dacey, E Evans, S Parry, P Williams, L Crane, D McIntosh, P Lewis.

Bargoed (v Carmarthen Quins): C Jones, D Dyer, J Howells, D Humphries, A Norton, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, R Morgan (captain), R Buckley, N Thomas, A Powell, L Blacker, L Johnson, C Davies, G Rogers. Reps: M Bancroft, M Billett, B Nightingale, A Herbert, W Langley, A Gibson, A Gardner-Key, J Lavender.

Fixtures: Aberavon v Pontypridd, Bargoed v Carmarthen Quins, Bedwas v Llandovery, Cardiff v Newport, Cross Keys v Neath, RGC 1404 v Ebbw Vale