THE gospel of Newport Rugby Club has been spread to the other end of Wales, a string of Llanelli youngsters watching their home games.

The secret of the conversion lies with young Newport flanker Gareth Gravell.

The 21-year-old is from Burry Port, a few miles from Llanelli, where he was an apprentice from the age of 17-19.

Then he met up with former Wales Youth and Neath coach Darryl Jones, also following him to Bristol.

Jones joined the influx at Newport, in charge of youth development, and Gravell followed him back across the Severn Bridge.

He broke into the Newport side at the end of last season and did so well that Newport offered him a two-year senior contract.

Though in the shadows of Jason Forster, Gravell has been drafted in for the past few games with Forster out with a groin strain.

And that is where the Llanelli and West Wales fan base at Newport comes in, because a number of Gravell's mates from down west have decided to follow his fortunes at Rodney Parade -- and they like what they see.

In fact, when Newport played Llanelli at Stradey Park last week and Gravell was in the side those West Wales mates were supporting Newport.

"They were all cheering for us," said Gravell. "They come up and support me and Newport. They come a lot and bring their families with them.

"There's a lot to do here with the family village, they love it up here. And for me, the Newport set-up is the best I've been involved with."

He has settled in well at Newport, living in the club house inside the ground with young West Wales teammates Nathan Brew and Llyr Lane, now joined by Mike Voyle since his return from New Zealand.

Gravell, just 21, is not particularly big in stature at 5ft 9ins and 12st 10lbs, but he more than makes up for that with his gritty performances.

He has been handed some tough tasks this season for a youngster against Munster, Leinster and Llanelli, but he's come through with flying colours.

Proof of that has come with his call-up for the Wales A squad this week.

"I've been training hard all season and it's nice to have had the chance. The games I've played in have not been the easiest," he said.

Gravell was capped for Wales at under-21 level last season, playing against England, France and Italy.

Gravell is now a real black and amber convert, and he's bringing some of the West with him. "I never thought I'd say it, but I've converted a few," he said.