A welcome Payne for Newport (From Campaign Series)

A welcome Payne for Newport

12:20pm Friday 13th November 2009

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ANOTHER game, another outside centre for Newport but the Black and Ambers hope to have solved their midfield problem with the return of a familiar face.

Richard Payne wears the number 13 jersey for tomorrow’s clash with Llanelli and the loose ends are being tied up on making him a permanent member of the squad.

The 26-year-old played for the Black and Ambers between 2003 and 2006, scoring three tries for the side that won the title in the first season of semi-pro rugby in 2004.

He moved to Swansea but headed ‘home’ on permit to come on as a late replacement in last weekend’s win over Cardiff.

Payne’s return is a welcome boost given the ascent of Tom Riley to Newport Gwent Dragons and injuries to fellow centres Scott Williams and Adam Hughes.

Williams is not expected back until the new year because of a broken thumb and while Hughes is making progress after suffering an elbow injury, Wales Under-20s duty is looming.

“It’s great to have Richard here and I think he is delighted to be back,” said head coach Sven Cronk. “It is a great chance for him and he will be pretty determined to seize the opportunity.”

Newport maintained their 100 per cent home record with a hard-earned 23-17 win over old rivals Cardiff last Saturday.

The Blue and Blacks gave them a scare but Cronk was delighted by the gutsy manner in which a second-half comeback was repelled.

“Every side is going to have a purple patch and Cardiff are a good team,” he said. “But the pleasing thing was that we dug deep to get an important win.

“We showed great character and we will need more of the same against Llanelli. We need to hold on to the ball in the final third – players are going for it themselves rather than going through the phases.

“There was also too much kicking, especially in attacking areas, but we also played some terrific rugby at times.”

Openside Paul Williams features despite needing stitches on the inside of his left eyelid in last weekend’s win. Fellow number seven Craig Hill is close to a return after suffering knee ligament damage.

Dan Griffiths returns at fly-half with Chris Wannell moving along to inside centre.

Newport: G Wyatt, A Awcock, R Payne, C Wannell, M Poole, D Griffiths, K Barrett, D Pattison, A Brown, G Robinson, D Rosser, A Jones, S Waldron, P Williams, A Coombs (captain). Replacements: I Evans, M Leaman, A Frampton, R Dale, A Quick, N Williams, R Owen.

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