"A FABULOUS weekend for Gwent rugby" was how Leigh Jones described the prospect of today's Dragons Heineken Cup tie with Leicester and tomorrow's Cross Keys v Newport Konica Minolta Cup clash.

Jones, of course, is involved in both as Newport coach and Dragons' skills coach, so he was looking forward to the ties with particular relish.

"The Dragons' game against Leicester should be a superb tie with so much to play for on both sides," he said.

"And it should be a blood-curdling local derby at Cross Keys, hopefully with a big crowd."

With his Newport hat on, Jones said everyone in his squad was looking forward to the Keys clash and the prospect of a terrific tie.

"I hope the weather allows two sides committed to open, expansive rugby to provide a fast, entertaining encounter," he said.

"Obviously there will be an element of pressure on both sides as we both want to make progress in the cup, but I hope and believe both sides will want to overcome that and that both sides will join the party.

"Cross Keys' form at home is very good and they are one of the toughest nuts to crack on their own ground.

"But if you have aspirations to lift the cup you have got to win games like this.

"We know that Cross Keys will be fired up to beat us, but that has been the case with all teams this season as we have progressed in our league campaign.

"They have all been out to chop us down, but the Newport players have come to terms with that and have learned to cope with it mentally."

Nevertheless, Jones is expecting a tough clash, admitting: "They frightened us to death when we beat them at home.

"They could and should have been out of sight at half time but we improved to play some rugby in the second half and hopefully we'll rise to the challenge on Saturday."

Jones had good things to say about Keys coaches David Rees and Simon King, and the admiration is mutual.

"We are very similar in our thinking and in our approach to the game," said Rees. "We both like to play high-continuity rugby, keeping the ball in hand and allowing it to pass through the players' hands.

"We both like to play rugby and allow other teams to play. We don't kill the ball. It all adds up to a great game on Sunday.

"Newport are the in-form side and have lost only once all season, but they are not the Newport of last season.

"Also we had opportunities to beat them in both a pre-season friendly and at Rodney Parade in the league.

"They were both great games with Newport hitting back strongly in the second half at Rodney Parade, but we feel confident we can win this time and we will be going out to do that."

He added: "It will be a good advert for Premier rugby in Gwent and with the Dragons v Leicester game on Saturday it is a great weekend. It's a fantastic opportunity for everyone in Gwent to back the region."

Both Cross Keys and Newport are virtually at full strength tomorrow, Keys including prop recruit from Cardiff, Greg Woods, among the replacements.

Cross Keys: D Miles, D Price, G Chapman, R Williams, M McKee, S Mitchell, J Ireland, I Evans, A Brown, D Evans, P Watkins, D Hallmen, B Watkins, T Morris, W Thomas. Replacements: L Humphries, D Dark, T Walsh, G Woods, D Crimmins, AN Other, M Curtis. Kick-off 2.30pm. Newport: R Davies, C Richards, R Payne, S Williams, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, L Lane, D Pattison, G Robinson, R Thomas, S Martin, M Veater, S Waldron, G Gravell, R Jones. Replacements: O Jones, R Shorney, C Thomas, S Cronk, J Evans, C Billen, R Dale.