NO-ONE is more surprised about Newport's demise this season than former scrum half Darren Edwards, who returns to Rodney Parade on Saturday as a member of the London Irish side.

He aims to end Newport's remaining interest in the Heineken Cup while boosting his own team's chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

Though he finds it difficult to understand Newport's lack of form which showed eight defeats in a row before they finally won, Edwards still expects a rough ride tomorrow.

"Their results have been surprising, especially when you analyse the side," admitted Edwards, who played 21 times for Newport two seasons ago, including an appearance as a replacement in the cup final winning line-up against Neath at the Millennium Stadium.

"The Newport team looks really strong. They were direct and efficient last season and though I've only seen bits and pieces this season it's surprising it's not going so well for them.

"But we don't know that much about Newport as they haven't played for a few weeks and we've had our focus on the league, which is a very tough one with big games every week.

"We're confident we're putting our game right (London Irish have beaten Leicester and only just lost to Gloucester and Toulouse).

"We're not sure what Newport will throw against us, but we respect all their players.

"Newport will raise their game and you can't read too much into their results.

"I'm sure they are looking at this game as a fresh start, and the fact that it is the Heineken Cup will give them a bit of an edge."

Edwards, from Maesteg, has slotted in nicely with London Irish, establishing himself in the side.

He will come into direct opposition with Ofisa Tonu'u, who made the journey in the opposite direction.

"It suits my style with London Irish. I'm used in a playmaking role and I get the ball in my hands a lot," he said.

"It's quite interesting how it happened with Ofisa. It's worked out well for the both of us.

"I'm quite looking forward to Saturday. I keep in touch with a number of the Newport boys like Matt Mostyn, Paul Young, Jamie Richards and Jason Forster."

But friendships will be discarded for the match.

"If we can win the two Newport matches and then beat Toulouse at home it's quite possible we'll make the quarter-finals," he said.

"We'll bring a few thousand fans with us, so it should be quite an occasion."

Edwards stresses, though, that it's going to be a battle - it could hardly be anything less with Brendan Venter in the London Irish team.

"He's a quality player and a great coach, a real character," said Edwards. "One thing for sure, there's going to be a real verbal battle."