NEWPORT head coach Craig Warlow has made as many as eight changes to his side for today’s game at Llandovery, with Haydn Simons holding on to the fly-half jersey despite a recall for Matt O’Brien.

Simons pulled the strings at 10 for the Black and Ambers last weekend as Warlow’s men claimed a thrilling 30-28 victory over Principality Premiership leaders Merthyr.

While Simons retains his place in the starting XV for the Church Bank clash (kick-off 2.30pm), half-back partner Ryan Bates is replaced by Ryan James, who also missed the defeat of the Ironmen.

Dai Richards returns from injury and comes in at full-back with Elliot Frewen switching to the left wing and Harri Lang moving to the right flank.

Andy Evans is the man to drop out as Warlow sticks with the same centre pairing of Geraint O’Driscoll and Chay Smith.

There are wholesale changes in the pack where Warlow goes with a new-look back row in the shape of Josh Skinner, Kyle Tayler and Chris Williams.

Joe Bartlett is in for Huw Taylor in the second row and hooker Henry Palmer and tighthead Garin Harris replace Rhys Lawrence and Jack Williams.

Warlow said: “In the past we haven’t always backed up good performances so that’s the challenge for us this weekend, but Llandovery is another tough place to go.

“We knew this run of games would be difficult but we’re coping pretty well and there’s a good feeling around the squad going to Llandovery.

“We’ve had five games out of 13 at home so if we can stick in there and stay in the top half of the table then there will be a chance to push on in the second half of the season.”

Newport: D Richards; H Lang, C Smith, G O’Driscoll, E Frewen; H Simons, R James; L Smout, He Palmer, G Harris, J Bartlett, D Partridge, J Skinner, K Tayler, C Williams. Reps: M Prosser, J Williams, T Piper, A Mann, J Reid, G Watkins, M O’Brien, A Evans.