MASTER faces pupil tomorrow night (7.05pm) when Newport bid to maintain their superb recent run with a Welsh/Scottish League victory over visiting champions Swansea.

The Master is Newport coach Ian McIntosh and the pupil Swansea coach John Plumtree, (pictured) who played for eight years under McIntosh's influence in South Africa.

Both are looking forward to the challenge and renewing acquaintances and both know victory is vital - Newport to maintain momentum and Swansea to kick-start their season.

"When I first came over to coach Swansea many of the ideas I brought had Mac's imprint on them, although a lot of things in rugby have changed since then," said Kiwi Plumtree. "Even though he dropped me a few times as a player, I've got a huge amount of respect for him and I must admit I have been looking forward to this match ever since the fixture list was confirmed.

"He has a huge love of rugby and so much enthusiasm that it rubs off on others and that's obviously what's happened at Newport.

"It's going to be tough for Swansea to get a result tomorrow. "While Newport are playing confidently, we have struggled so they are obvious favourites, although we have played well in our away fixtures."

McIntosh smilingly replied: "We are not going to fall for that. I know it can all turn in one game."

Of Plumtree, he said: "He was a very good player and he always wanted to coach. "I have to be honest and say I didn't envisage him as one at first, but he started with a local club in Durban and showed what he could do.

"And his heart was always in the game and that's where coaches come from. "He's got an excellent store of knowledge coming from New Zealand and playing with Natal and since then it's gone very well for him.

"Coaching is like teaching. You become a teacher in the classroom. The same with coaching. You can take all the courses you want, but it actually happens at the coal face. "Two championships in four years show he's become a teacher and I think John has done fantastically well for Swansea.

"We're very proud of him back home. We regard him as one of our boys and I almost feel like he's one of my sons.

"As a coach, he's got to be better than he was five years ago and I'm amazed he has been said to be under a bit of pressure.

"I think it's time to rally around someone like that and not get on his back." Though Swansea are struggling at the moment, seventh to Newport's third in the league with just three wins from seven fixtures, McIntosh said: "That's what happens sometimes. You get injuries and the odd point goes against you and suddenly your trying to play catch up.

"But it will come right again for Swansea. I just hope it doesn't come right on Friday." He added: "The fact that Swansea have been struggling is going to make it harder for us without a doubt.

"It's not good to catch sides when they are on the back foot because they are going to try to put it right.

But he says Newport's success in all competitions this season and excellent performances against sides in the Heineken Cup has given himself and the players confidence.

"I think it's very stimulating to be playing all these different teams and it's great for the players.

"It's the closest some will get to international rugby (Toulouse had ten internationals) and it keeps their interest alive.

"I also like it because it's good to find out where you are in rugby terms. Our results so far have given myself and the team a lot of confidence. "We kept the ball in hand against Toulouse and kept the game going. That's what my objective really is."