FIJIAN lock Simon Raiwalui faces heartbreak if Newport reach the Principality Cup final on May 13.

Raiwalui must return to his native Fiji that week.

Fiji coach Greg Smith is insisting all players are back in time to take part in the two trial games he has arranged for the Epson Pacific Rim tournament.

That puts Raiwalui in a real dilemma if Newport beat Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale in the semi-final on April 14 to get to the final.

Raiwalui is turning to Newport chief executive Tony Brown in an effort to sort the problem out.

"I've never played an easy game against Ebbw Vale and it's going to be a hard semi-final," said Raiwalui.

"But if we get to the final it would be my first time and a chance to win some silverware. It's the pinnacle of the season and it would be a shame to miss it.

"I also missed Gary Teichmann's testimonial match in Durban last year because I had to go back, and that was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

"But I don't have much choice, it's out of my hands. If Fiji call on me I'll have to go. "I just hope Tony Brown can work wonders."

Brown said: "Obviously Simon is a key man in the squad on and off the pitch. He's a catalyst and a tremendous influence on the team. If we are successful and get to the final it would be a massive loss.

"So we are doing our best with Greg Smith to have him released.

"We are relying on his good offices to see our point of view because it would be a big blow for Simon and the club."

Raiwalui takes his place in a Newport team showing seven changes, two positional, for tomorrow's home Welsh/Scottish League game against Glasgow.

Newport go for Alix Popham at openside in place of Jason Forster, forced to sit the game out under an IB ruling preventing him playing because Newport have withdrawn him from the Hong Kong Sevens. Forster, the Wales Sevens captain, refused to comment on the situation.

Newport switch Matthew Watkins to the left wing and recall Jason Jones-Hughes at outside centre.

Dale Burn is back at scrum half, while Wales lock Ian Gough also returns and Ceri Jones is at loose head prop.

Team: M Pini, M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, A Marinos, M Watkins, S Howarth, D Burn, C Jones, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui, I Gough, P Buxton, G Teichmann (captain), A Popham. Replacements: J Pritchard, S Mitchell, D Edwards, R Snow, P Young, G Taylor, J Powell. Kick off 2.30pm.