NEWPORT'S injury crisis has bitten so deeply that they are forced to field scrum-half Dale Burn on the left wing for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash against French giants Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon.

Newport are without no fewer than nine backs for one of the toughest games they will face all season.

Toulouse, with Leinster, are out alone on eight points from their four pool matches and victory this weekend will just about guarantee them a quarter-final place in Europe with a home draw.

Fresh from a 38-3 victory over Montauban, Toulouse will be gunning for Newport aiming to secure a last eight spot with a match still to go.

They have French aces Vincent Clerc and Cedric Heymans on the wings, and a certain Emile Ntamack, the former French captain, as a wing or centre.

Some test for Burn who has to fill in because Newport are without so many backs because of injury or non-availability.

He has played on the wing before, but he hasn't started there since the last game of the 1998-99 season against Bridgend at the Brewery Field.

Ruled out because of injury are Jason Jones-Hughes, Hal Luscombe, Luke Nabaro and Andrew Wagstaff while Percy Montgomery, Alex Cadwallader, Nathan Brew and Nathan Palmer are not eligible for Europe.

Matt Mostyn is not certain to play on the right wing after a groin injury but is improving and Newport hope he will be fit.

If not, then one of the trio of Andy Marinos, Jonathan Pritchard and Scott Williams will have to play on the wing which would leave Newport with one backs replacement in scrum-half Llyr Lane.

Shane Howarth is back in the side at full-back, with Jason Strange remaining at outside-half.

Newport have fewer problems up front, though Adrian Garvey and Steve Ojomoh are ruled out with injuries. Chris Anthony is back at tight-head prop and Andrew Powell gets his first start at number eight since the first game against Toulouse at Rodney Parade on October 18.

Rod Snow returns at loose-head, while the locks are skipper Simon Raiwalui and Ian Gough.

The weather in Toulouse is slightly milder and there was rain there yesterday, but the pitch has been covered. Newport: S Howarth, M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, D Burn, J Strange, O Tonu'u, R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, G Gravell, A Powell, J Forster. Replacements: S Williams, L Lane, C Jones, P Young, M Voyle, M Veater, R Jones. Kick off 2pm (GMT).