NEWPORT field an exciting, completely untried centre partnership for tonight's Celtic League clash against Connacht at Rodney Parade.

Teenager Nathan Brew lines up alongside Jason Jones-Hughes, (pictured) the first time they have played together.

Brew has made just one senior appearance against Edinburgh and played for the under-21 team in Saturday's 29-19 victory over Ebbw Vale.

Jones-Hughes has recovered from the knee injury which has sidelined him for nearly five months and makes his first appearance of the season.

Brew has played on the wing up to now, though coach Ian McIntosh is converting him to a centre. He will play outside centre tonight with Jones-Hughes inside centre.

The new partnership is mainly due to a series of injuries among the threequarters, Matt Mostyn (thigh), Andy Marinos (shoulder) and Jonathan Pritchard (dislocated finger) all ruled out.

None is serious and they should all come into consideration for Saturday's tough game at Neath.

Matt Pini resumes at full back, Matthew Watkins switches from left to right wing, his third different position already this season, while Ben Breeze returns on the left flank.

Jason Strange continues at outside half after making his full debut against Munster.

It's all change in the front row, with Ceri Jones, Paul Young and Chris Anthony coming in. Lock Mike Voyle misses his first game of the season, skipper Simon Raiwalui moving to the middle of the line-out and Gareth Taylor stepping in as front jumper.

It's also all-change in the back row, one positional.

Alix Popham has recovered from an arm injury and is back at number eight, Jason Forster returns at openside and Andrew Powell switches to blindside.

Newport had hoped to include prospective new signing Junior Tonu'u on the bench, but even if his work permit does come through he will not be registered in time.

Newport will take Connacht easily at their peril after the least favoured Irish province took Neath's unbeaten record on Saturday.

"There are no easy games, the results have proved that," said Newport coach Ian McIntosh.

"We were a real class act in the first half against Munster, but we've got to put two halves together like that.

Team: M Pini, M Watkins, N Brew, J Jones-Hughes, B Breeze, J Strange, D Burn, C Jones, P Young, C Anthony, G Taylor, S Raiwalui (captain), A Powell, A Popham, J Forster. Replacements: E Lewis, S Howarth, L Lane, A Garvey, J Richards, M Voyle, P Buxton. Kick off 7.30pm.

* Neath appeal to Newport fans travelling to the town on Saturday to go by train or bus because the annual fair is being staged in the town.