JASON Strange makes his first start for Newport in a major game for nearly three months in the top-of-the-table clash against Llanelli at Stradey Park tomorrow night.

Shane Howarth has failed a fitness test on his damaged thumb, so Strange gets his chance in his first start, the friendly against Uruguay apart, since the Connacht game on September 11.

"It's been frustrating to say the least, and it did cross my mind more than once that I'd made the wrong decision to join Newport," said Strange.

"I've been training as hard as I can and I kept asking Mac (coach Ian McIntosh) the situation.

"But he told me he didn't want to change things when the team was winning. "Coming from a club (Ebbw Vale) where I was playing every week, a 10-week break is like pre-season again.

"One good thing is I'm fresh and can't wait to start. I've had to bide my time, but it was great to go on against Leinster last week, one of the reasons I came to Newport was to play in those games."

Apart from Howarth, half back partner Ofisa Tonu'u and openside flanker Jason Forster are both missing, as expected.

Tonu'u will not be back in time after the death of his mother in New Zealand while Forster is still out with a groin injury.

Dale Burn and 21-year-old Gareth Gravell continue to deputise. But full back Matt Pini has reported fit from the hand injury he suffered against Leinster. Ben Breeze, normally a wing but who played at full back when he was with Bristol, was standing by but is now on the bench.

Instead Matthew Watkins, a second half replacement last week and hotly contesting a place in his favourite outside centre position, is brought back on the left wing. Newport again start with skipper Simon Raiwalui and Ian Gough at lock, with Mike Voyle on the bench.

Also a replacement is prop Ceri Jones, with Wales international Chris Anthony ruled out by a wrist injury. "A team can't be as good as only one player," said McIntosh.

"If you play to a style and everyone has bought into it you should be able to make two changes, if you can't you're not a top team."

Wales wing Mark Jones makes his first start of the season for Llanelli, who have been boosted by the fitness of Ireland back row forward Simon Easterby and the return of USA captain David Hodges.

LLanelli: M Cardey, M Jones, N Boobyer, S Finau, W Proctor, S Jones (captain), D Peel, P Booth, R McBryde, J Davies, V Cooper, C Wyatt, S Easterby, D Hodges, I Boobyer. Replacements: G Easterby, G Bowen, S Morgan, M Madden, M Thomas, L Gross, D Jones. Kick off 7.05pm.

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, M Watkins, J Strange, D Burn, R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, P Buxton, A Powell, G Gravell. Replacements: B Breeze, H Luscombe, L Lane, C Jones, P Young, M Voyle, J Powell. Kick off 7.05pm.