THE new Welsh Premier season kicks off with a bang tomorrow with a bumper crowd expected at Rodney Parade to see champions Newport open their title defence against Gwent rivals Pontypool.

The Black and Ambers averaged gates of over 3,000 last season and can expect more of the same this campaign when a new coach and virtually a new squad who will seek to emulate last season's success.

"I'm really excited about the prospect," said new coach David Rees, previously in charge at Cross Keys for ten years.

"With no game for the Newport Gwent Dragons this weekend and with a fixture against Pontypool steeped in history and tradition, there should be a big crowd.

"Every new season is a step into the unknown, but that's more so for Newport this season.

"We have a new coaching set-up and a new squad with 15 new players, and the team chosen to open the campaign has eight new faces with five more among the replacements.

"We have had to rebuild and though we have another very good squad on paper and have worked hard pre-season to gel together, I hope people will be a little patient.

"The first month will be very important for all the sides and we will know a lot more then, but I hope and expect us to be challenging for the title again."

Newport's mix of youth, pace and experience should ensure that is the case, but they are going with a small squad of 25 players this season and that could prove a concern if injuries arise.

Neath were their biggest challengers last season and and they have recruited strongly with Wales hooker Mefin Davies, former Newport lock Steve Martin, Llandovery pivot Neil Clapham and Aberavon's Chris Gittings added to their ranks, and they are most people's tips for the 2004-2005 title.

Bridgend, seventh last season, have also strongly recruited in a market overflowing with players because of the demise of the Celtic Warriors and thus certain to make the Premier more competitive and exciting.

Among their recruits have been Cory Harris, Richard Mustoe and Andrew Joy from the Warriors and Paul Williams from Bedwas and they, too, will be challengers.

Aberavon, under new coaches Kevin Hopkins and Mark Jones and despite the loss of Chris O'Callaghan and Eddie Jones, will again be strong, particularly at home, while Pontypridd have a huge pool of players at their disposal and Llanelli, with Scott Quinnell in charge of coaching, and Cardiff will surely play stronger roles this season.

In terms of the other Gwent sides, Cross Keys have had to rebuild from last season, having lost four top players to Newport, and have new coaches in Robert Beale and Nicky Lloyd, but look capable of a top ten spot.

Bedwas, one of the few teams to defeat Newport last season, may surprise again for they have recruited well in capturing Rob Sweeney from Swansea, Steve Gardner from Caerphilly and Anthony Edwards from Newbridge.

Newbridge, too, look stronger and the arrival of two former Junior All Blacks in October may give them a boost and they should do better than last season's 13th.

But Ebbw Vale and Pontypool have lost players and having struggled last season look like being among the favourites for relegation, though that would be tough on hard-working coaches Steve Jones (Pontypool) and Chay Billen and Byron Hayward (Ebbw Vale).

If pressed to make a prediction even before the season has started, with so many squad unknowns, I would opt for a Neath-Newport-Bridgend 1-2-3 at the top and a Vale- Pontypool-Llandovery 1-2-3 at the bottom with Pontypridd my dark horses to rock the best and Caerphilly the most likely to join the strugglers.

Newport (v Pontypool): R Williams, G Chapman, S Ireland, R Payne, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, B Shelbourne, I Evans, A Brown, G Robinson, D Davies, M Veater, N Kelly, S Waldron, R Jones. Replacements: T Walsh, A McLaughlin, S Cronk, D Pattison, K Crawford, N Edwards, P Williams. Kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: R Jenkins, M Ali, D Smith, N Lewis, L McCabe, S Mills, O Jones, J Viner, L Jones, N Blake, M Amos, D Cox, C Trayhern, D Gibbs, L Burns. Replacements: R Jones, A Sliczney, G Gunter, N Giles, R Miller, J Nash, R Mason. Kick off 2.30pm. Meet Pontypool Leisure Centre 12.15pm.

Newbridge (v Llanharan, away): J Williams, C Arnold, G Bowen, S Parry, M Addis, R Watts, M Taylor, A Oliver, D Williams, P Taylor, M Peard, P Watkins, G Gladwyn, S Greedy, N Coles. Replacements: R Hallett, P Jones, L Davies, R Davies, D Alexander, W Sims, M Ackerman. Kick off 2.30pm.

Ebbw Vale (v Carmarthen, away): S Hunt, S Horner, K Owen, J Hawker, A Bevan, D Phillips, S Heddington, G Burns, M Williams, L Davies, G Jones, A Jones, R Bowen, M Scudamore, M Tuipulotu. Replacements: H Sparks, C Thomas, R Aylett, P Scullen, B Hayward, J Griffin, J Rowles. Kick off 2.30pm.

Bedwas (v Llanelli, home, Sunday): N Gittings, S Sankala, J Welch, A Harrison, N Hill, A James, R Phillips, J Tilley, P McGhee, J Salter, R Edwards, N Jones, S Gardner, C Hill, D Mattravers. Replacements: G Leonard, M Davies, M Pettit, A Evans, B Cole, S Jones, J Lynch. Kick off 2.30pm.