EBBW Vale's Parker Pen European Shield quarter-final first leg against French team Pau on Saturday is likely to go ahead despite the freezing weather - at Newport.

Under European rugby rules in all matches in the Heineken Cup and Parker Pen competitions an alternative venue within a certain radius of the home ground has to be named in the event of bad weather.

Newport, who are in Toulouse on Saturday, have given permission for their Rodney Parade ground to be used in the event of Eugene Cross Park being unfit.

At the moment both pitches are too hard, but the forecast is for milder weather on Saturday, which is likely to improve Rodney Parade quicker than Eugene Cross Park.

Given the cordial talks between the Gwent rivals about a possible merger, this could be a sign of things to come.

"We've had to name an alternative venue under ERC rules, and Newport have very kindly offered their stadium," said Vale chief executive Ray Harris.

"Looking at the forecast for Saturday it's likely to warm up, but whether that will penetrate the Eugene Cross Park ground at 1,250ft above sea level is debatable.

"At sea level there is every chance of the game being on at Newport."

The precedent for a dramatic late switch was set a few years ago when Ebbw Vale arranged to play South African side Falcons at Cwmbran Stadium. They moved it back to their own pitch at three hours notice because the Cwmbran pitch was waterlogged.

"It's a lot of hard work, but everyone involved has a job to do and gets on with it," said Harris. "In this case the Newport ground staff will be crucial."

Pau are staying near Heathrow Airport on Friday night before travelling to Wales on Saturday morning. The Vale pitch will be inspected at around 10am, and if it is ruled out the Newport scenario will be put into operation if their pitch has recovered.

ERC will be informed, the Pau and home team players told of the change, and messages to fans relayed via the radio and teletext.

If both venues are ruled out the rules state that in any European match at the weekend that the visiting team must stay an extra day so the hosts can try to rearrange the match.

Vale have no injury worries for the Pau match and are in confident mood after their victory at Pontypridd in the Welsh Premier Division last Saturday.