A SHOT in the arm and a springboard to better things was how coach Leigh Jones described Newport's best win of the season against London Irish.

After losing their first eight games this season, Newport have now won four in a row.

Jones paid particular tribute to Newport's defence. "It was absolutely superb," he said. "It reflects the work put in during the month's lay-off which was like a mini pre-season for us.

"We have come back much better and the return of quality players like Ian Gough and Jason Jones-Hughes was a springboard.

"The effort has been there all year, but the break has given us time to get some sel-belief and confidence. "This was a huge shot in the arm and is the springboard for better things ahead.

"Toulouse (who hammered Edinburgh at Meadowbank on Saturday to make it three wins out of three) are favourites to win the group, but this win has given us more confidence.

"We'll go to play London Irish again next week looking for a result, so who knows?

If we can win there, beating Toulouse away will not be beyond us."

Newport captain Simon Raiwalui was another happy man.

"Our defence was brilliant and we can feed off this," he said.

"There has always been a good spirit, but we have tried to find our game and we did today.

"That wasn't bad by Ian Gough in only his third game after a serious injury, and Jason Jones-Hughes has a year off and comes back with a performance of that quality. Both added to a great team effort.

"Everyone had written us off, but we're in it for the long haul and we proved today that we're here." London Irish coach Conor O'Shea criticised his own side, but paid tribute to Newport.

"We had enough possession to win in a canter, but we turned the ball over, made errors at vital times and it was a massive disappointment to lose," he said.

"But hats off to Newport for the way they managed to stop us. We dominated territorially but couldn't score against a great defence."