SHANE HOWARTH has pleaded with people to give the Gwent region a chance when it finally begins its new campaign in a few months time.

Fans, angry at the loss of the Newport name, have vowed to boycott the new side and some of those who do turn up to watch matches have said they will be shouting for Newport rath-er than Gwent.

Leaflets were distributed at end of season matches urging people to turn their backs on the regional set-up when it finally comes to life.

But Howarth, who flies back to his New Zealand homeland for good at the start of next month, says he wants fans to back the region because it won't be too long before the 'Newport' name is back.

The outside-half said: "At Rodney Parade, as far as I'm concerned, that Gwent name will go in a few years and we will be back to 'Newport'.

"Just let it ride on that - please. Don't act as though Gwent aren't here. Come and support them because all the other provinces and people in Wales think Gwent is a joke.

"They are basically taking that attitude and, if the supporters start to take that attitude, then we are on our backsides.

"Remember that the ACT Brumbies were treated as a joke, and with the Otago Highlanders, people called them the Auckland B side and they didn't turn out too bad rugby sides.

"If the supporters get behind it and are strong behind it, then it will be OK but, as I said, I think the Gwent name will be dropped in a couple of years and we will be back to Newport because you can't let a club like this hide for too long, and I don't think it will either."

And Howarth paid glowing tribute to his captain, Simon Raiwalui, who is off to Zurich Premiership outfit Saracens next season while the New Zealander starts a new career in coaching down under after quitting the game.

The pair were at Sale before joining the Black and Ambers, and Howarth added: "I've grown up with Simon here. I've had six years with him and he is more of a brother to me than a friend.

"Our families are very close, the boys Grayson (Howarth's eldest) and David (Raiwalui) grew up together and Luke (Raiwalui) and Devlin (Howarth), the young ones, are growing up together and our wives are like sisters, so it will be hard leaving those guys.

"I've made fantastic friends here and, luckily enough, a couple of them are Australian, strangely enough for a Kiwi, but we will always return back here.

"I'm not going to be one of these ones who say 'I'm not going to watch Gwent play' because I don't believe in that."