NEWCASTLE have been waiting a long time for their first meeting with Newport -- four years, in fact (writes Robin Davey).

It was 1997 when they qualified for the Heineken Cup for the first and only other occasion.

But they were robbed of taking part in it when the English clubs pulled out of the competition. Now at last they get their chance again.

"We've been hanging on for our debut, it's been a long time coming and we're looking forward to it," said Newcastle coach Steve Bates (pictured) , the former England scrum half.

They are well aware of the progress Newport have made in the last few years and are preparing for a tough game.

They also promise something a little different without revealing what it is. "We've got quite a lot of video footage from S4C and Newport's games against Cardiff and Munster in particular," said Bates.

"From where we sit it's going to be a very tough game. It hasn't escaped us that Newport are quite a force, and that heightens our anticipation.

"Shane Howarth at 10 is a good footballer and we'll have to look out for him tactically and with his running.

"And we know about some of their boys up front. We'll have to restrict their movement." But Bates warns Newport about the Kingston Park ground.

"They've got a long way to come and the conditions here are unique in terms of the wind, so they might find it slightly different," he said.

"It's going to be a tough game, but I suppose being at home is where the advantage might lie.

"It's no secret what we're trying to do, to play around winning the set pieces and allowing the ball to be played through the hands, not the feet, to our potent back division." And on tactics for the Newport game, Bates said guardedly, "We've got one or two things that we're looking to do, things we've prepared specifically for this game. It'll be slightly different from what people expect.

"We're playing pretty well and we're improving all the time. We deservedly beat Leicester, we took our foot off the gas at Sale who surprised us and we had a good result at London Irish.

"We're improving all the time, and the Heineken Cup gives us the chance to get up there mentally."

*NEWPORT rugby club today landed a new sponsor. Celtic Springs Business Park, which officially kicked off its £100m development in Newport today, has signed a one-year deal.

Newport's chief executive, Keith Grainger, said: "Celtic Springs' support and involvement is a great boost for the club."