TOP of the props -- Wales pair Iestyn Thomas and Chris Anthony line up directly against one another at Eugene Cross Park on Friday night when Ebbw Vale and leaders Newport clash in the Welsh/Scottish League (7.05pm).

Thomas, the Wales loose head, will be in the Vale line-up when it is announced tomorrow while Wales tight head Anthony is expected to start for Newport.

Newport have, in fact, named four props for the Ebbw Vale clash and will delay selection until Friday when they know the likely weather conditions at Eugene Cross Park. For the moment Anthony has been bracketed with Adrian Garvey and Rod Snow with Ceri Jones.

A decision will also be taken on Friday whether to go in with five forwards as replacements.

The only definite change from the side which trounced Glasgow is a rota one at hooker where Paul Young replaces James Richards.

Centre Jonathan Pritchard is back in training after being out for two months with a hamstring injury, and he should be available for the Cardiff Principality Cup quarter-final on March 29.

"We played very well against Glasgow," admitted coach Ian McIntosh. "We'll take it from there."

Newport pair Emyr Lewis and Gareth Gravell have left with the Wales Sevens squad for the China and Hong Kong Sevens tournaments.

Newport team (v Ebbw Vale): M Pini, M Mostyn, M Watkins, A Marinos, B Breeze, S Howarth, O Tonu'u, R Snow/C Jones, P Young, C Anthony/A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, P Buxton, A Powell, J Forster. Replacements (from) R Snow/C Jones, C Anthony/A Garvey, J Richards, J Powell, A Popham, N Brew, J Strange, D Burn. Kick-off 7.05pm.

*PICTURED: Iestyn Thomas and Chris Anthony will face one another.