NEWPORT are on a revenge mission when they meet Glasgow at Rodney Parade tomorrow night -- and in-form flanker Jason Forster aims to use the occasion to press his claims for Wales recognition in front of coach Steve Hansen.
A year ago Newport were chasing Welsh/Scottish League honours when Glasgow promptly turned their hopes upside down by thumping them 27-6 at Rodney Parade. Newport never recovered and finished a disappointing fourth in the league table, undone by a robust, mobile pack who revelled in the wet conditions, and by outside half Tommy Hayes, who exploited the weather perfectly.
Twelve months on and Newport are even more favourably placed to win the title for the first time, knowing that victory will guarantee them returning to the top of the table, a point ahead of Llanelli with a game in hand.
The Newport squad has been firmly reminded this week of the events of a year ago. "It's good to remember what happened then, it was a real stumbling block last year," said skipper Simon Raiwalui.
"We lost a lot of momentum and we are fully aware of that. Glasgow play a good brand of rugby, they're exciting to watch and we're looking forward to it."
Coach Ian Mcintosh refuses to treat Glasgow differently from any other game, despite what happened last season when he wasn't even with Newport.
"They're all crunch games, it's just nice to be playing at home again," he said, referring to the two-months absence of a Rodney Parade league fixture.
"We want to carry on playing good rugby, that's our motivation. We want to keep improving and if we do that the results will take care of themselves."
But for Forster there is more at stake than the result because most Newport fans are staggered he is not in the Wales A team at least.
He has scored six tries in his last seven major appearances and three more in last week's friendly against Abergavenny, apart from generally terrorising opposing outside halves.
"It's just nice to be involved in a winning side," said Forster, that comparative rarity of a Newport-born player.
PICTURED: Jason Forster wants to impress against Glasgow.
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