CARDIFF coach Rudy Joubert admits he is surprised at the way Newport have fallen from first to third in the Welsh/Scottish League table after his side knocked their old rivals out of the cup.

"The Swansea result was a big surprise to me, and so was the Neath one. I would never have predicted that They were two games I thought Newport would surely win," said Joubert.

"I don't know what it is about Newport games for us, but we play pretty well against them. "The first one this season we had 12 or 13 players out injured and some expected a 40-point loss, but two or three of our younger players did really well.

"Then for the last game Newport were on a roll and everyone was predicting Newport would be league winners, but we pulled off a good win.

"Newport should be favourites on Friday night at Rodney Parade, but some people will not be sure now.

"It'll be pretty tough, but I'm confident we can make it three out of three." Joubert believes the loss through injury of Ofisa Tonu'u has been a major contributory factor to their losing run.

"He has played a major role. He's the biggest influence I have seen from anyone in any team," he said.

"But Newport have still got a quality side with good ball carriers, a well balanced back row and pace.

"We also aim to continue to produce quality. That's our main aim, and the rest should follow."

But he still has a warning for the Cardiff team. "I'm sure Newport will come back strongly. I'm expecting a hard match."

Cardiff hand the tight head role to Gary Powell, with former Wales captain David Young on the bench and lock John Tait given the captaincy.

Fellow lock Craig Quinnell makes his first start for Cardiff since January because of a knee injury, despite the fact that he is joining Saracens.

"Craig is committed to Cardiff. He'd like to stay, but the decision was made because he had a better offer elsewhere," said Joubert.

"He wants to leave with us winning the league title, and he's keen to play well." Cardiff: R Williams, A Sullivan, J Robinson, M Allen, C Morgan, I Harris, R Powell, S John, A Lewis, G Powell, C Quinnell, J Tait, R Appleyard, D Baugh, F Mournier. Replacements: D Young, G Woods, A Jones, R Sowden-Taylor, A Booth, N Robinson/N Walne, N Jenkins.