NEWPORT will bid to follow in the footsteps of Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale tomorrow and beat RGC 1404 at Stadiwm Zip World in Colwyn Bay (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Black and Ambers lost 43-36 in North Wales on the final day of the Principality Premiership last season but can take heart from Ebbw’s 19-12 win there in mid-September.

In fact, RGC have one victory in three home games so far this term and that came against rock bottom Neath, who are yet to triumph in 2018-19.

RGC, coached by former Wales wing Mark Jones, lost to champions Merthyr in their most recent match on home soil, though they did respond last weekend at Llandovery.

Full-back Dion Jones scored one of RGC’s tries in their 32-24 success against the Drovers and feels that while they got back to winning ways, they can’t rest on their laurels.

“It was important we got back to winning ways last week, and to do it at Llandovery was always going to need an 80-minute performance,” he said.

“The challenge is for us to push on and put in another 80-minute performance on Saturday.

“Inconsistency has been our downfall both this and last season, and really it comes down to making sure we do the basics from kick-off.

“Teams also want to come up north and take that win, so home advantage means we can’t take our foot off the pedal at any point.”

Newport slipped to a second successive defeat last time out, going down 38-35 to Aberavon at Rodney Parade.

Craig Warlow’s charges have won half their contests to date.

Meanwhile, Newport’s former players will be holding their AGM on Saturday, October 20 at 12.30pm.

The meeting takes place in the David Watkins Lounge at Rodney Parade prior to the league encounter with Bridgend.