BUOYANT Newport march on Dublin this week to take on crack Irish province Leinster promising to meet the team with the best record in Europe head on.
The two teams with an unbeaten record in the Heineken Cup this season meet at Donnybrook on Friday night knowing that something has got to give.
Newport have won five games in a row, their last three against the Welsh/Scottish League champions, the French champions and the English cup holders.
But Leinster have won all their nine games this season, seven in the Celtic League and two in the Heineken Cup, their eight tries to Newports five putting them top of the pool.
They also have Ireland stars Brian ODriscoll, Denis Hickey, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Eric Miller and Trevor Brennan.
But Newport refuse to be daunted by the size of the task, preferring to concentrate on their own game instead.
It depends how big it is in your mind, said coach Ian McIntosh who has instilled enormous self belief and team spirit into the side.
And former All Black scrum half Ofisa Tonuu man-of-the-match in last Fridays thrilling 25-19 win against Swansea, pledged: We must take it to Leinster, we cant wait for them.
But he added: Its a huge task to win away against them, theyre on top of their game and theyre plaing their own brand of rugby.
McIntosh will resume his old rivalry with Leinsters Australian coach Matt Williams.
I know him well from our Super 12 days, said McIntosh. Hes an outstanding coach, but these wins have given us a lot of confidence.
Newport captain Simon Raiwalui said: Were confident against Leinster, but our attitude is still to take each game as it comes.
Tonuu and Newport lock Mike Voyle have discovered that they were team mates in Wellington in the early 90s.
But Voyle heads back to New Zealand next month at the end of his three-month contract with Newport not sure what the future holds.
He wants to return to Newport but his wife is expecting their second child and is settled in her home.
Voyle is probably playing the best rugby of his career and said: Im enjoying it, its a good team environment, but its a bit of a personal sacrifice.
My home and my family are in New Zealand and my wife doesnt want to fly. Who knows?
Ian Gough, the player Voyle was brought in to replace, is fit again and played his first senior rugby since Mays cup final when he went on for the last ten minutes against Swansea. But Newport still need Voyle.
As McIntosh said: I would go so far as to say his line-out work and the pressure he put on Swanseas line-out played a major role in the victory.
ODriscoll faces a fight to be fit to face Newport after suffering a leg injury helping Ireland to their shock win against England on Satuday.
Wales wing Dafydd James was also injured playing for Bridgend against Neath on Saturday and is doubtful for next months internationals against Argentina, Tonga and Australia.
Scott Quinnell, meanwhile, should discover today if his knee problems will keep him out of those Tests.
Newport under-21s condemned Llanelli to a 20-8 at Stradey Park. Tries from scrum-half Matthew Thomas and centre Scott Williams, both converted by outside-half Stuart Thomas, and a Thomas penalty and James Rowles drop-goal gave Newport the win.
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