IT will feel strange for Newport second row Steve Martin when he runs out against Neath at The Gnoll tomorrow.

For ten years until the end of last season he ran out in the Welsh All Blacks' colours, but tomorrow he'll be playing against them for the first time, in Black and Amber.

"It will be a bit odd but rest assured it will only make me more determined to do well," said the 28-year-old who, with his father, former Wales lock Allna Martin, runs a leisure and sports manufacturing business in the town.

Martin says the game will be Newport's toughest of the season with them taking an unbeaten Premier Division record to their closest rivals.

"Because of that record they'll be really fired up for it," he said.

"We have been slow starters in many games so far, but we can't be like that at The Gnoll because if they get their tails up it'll be 'Tally-ho'.

"I know better than anybody the Gnoll is one of the most difficult places to win and we'll have to be on top of our game to beat them.

"I haven't seen them play this season, but I know quite a few of their players. I'm great mates with Rowland Phillips, Brett Sinkinson and player-coach Patrick Horgan.

"They are similar to us with a few old heads and a few youngsters.

"I think you can throw the form book out of the window on Saturday. They've been looking forward to this for a long time."

Port Talbot-based Martin has been in superb form this season and is happy with how it has gone.

"I'm enjoying my rugby. I've been made welcome by Newport and I enjoy playing with the youngsters. A lot are quality performers who can go a long way. It's given me fresh enthusiasm.

"I'm unhappy I've been replaced in several games, but we have got strong second rows and I understand it keeps everybody fresh."

Martin hasn't given up hope of a regional contract, even though he was not wanted as part of the Neath/Swansea Ospreys set-up.

"I'd planned to play for Beziers in France for two years. It was all agreed, but Beziers had been relegated and when they were reinstated they had to take on a second row they had released.

"That left me high and dry, but I had spoken to Darryl Jones (Newport's director of rugby) previously and I rang him and he said there was a place for me."

"I could have perhaps gone to Neath's Premier team, but the money was a bit better at Newport and I thought I also had a better chance of making the regional team."

As for Newport's chance of staying top of the table when the World Cup players return to the regions and others drop back to the Premier, Martin said: Obviously it will make things harder, but I don't see why it should effect us.

"Confidence is high, we are on a run and if anything we have to guard against over-confidence."

Newport have picked their strongest possible team.

Newport: S Tuipulotu, C Richards, R Shorney, S Williams, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, L Lane, D Pattison, J Evans, S Cronk, C Billen, S Martin, M Veater, G Gravell (captain), R Jones. Replacements: G Robinson, R Thomas, S Waldron, M Popham, O Jones, R Payne, C Thomas.

Neath: P Bamsey, R Johnston, M Jones, W Mitchell, R Carter, M Jones, P Horgan, P Jones (captain), A Littlehales, A Howell, M Jones, L Bateman, B Sinkinson, H Jenkins, J McPhail.