THE Newport rugby squad will be on trial in more ways than one in their first pre-season friendly on Sunday.

Not only will they be playing a trial against the English Premier Division team, but they will come under the keen eye of new chief coach Ian McIntosh for the first time since he was appointed.

The South African, whose coaching career has been resurrected by Newport owner Tony Brown, is in his third brief spell at Newport this week before he arrives full time for the Cardiff game on August 29.

"The Bristol game will give me an opportunity to mix and match. It will be a trial for the players to start showing me what I want to see," said McIntosh, who returns to South Africa once more after Sunday's match.

"The friendlies are for me to assess the players and how they are going to fare.

"I think we should have a formidable pack that should give the backs a launching pad, and there are enough names in the backs to take advantage."

New names in the Newport squad are lock Del Cross, who has played for Combined Services and Harlequins, plus under-21 player Nathan Brew.

James Rowles, Hal Luscombe, Llyr Lane and Gareth Gravell were in the under 21s last season.

Missing are Matt Mostyn, who has a slight knee injury, Jason Jones-Hughes, almost fully fit after a knee injury, Gareth Taylor, who has police commitments, Ian Gough, who is out with a damaged shoulder and Alix Popham, suffering from burns after an accident.

McIntosh, born in Zimbabwe, revealed he has always been a fan of Welsh rugby, and also outlined his coaching philosophy.

"I came to Wales to learn about coaching in the seventies when they were at their peak," he said.

"Ever since I've had an affinity for the traditions of Welsh rugby, so I'm very excited to be suddenly part of it.

"I've always looked at coaching to try to get everyone playing to his true potential. Once every player does that he'll go as far as it takes him.

"I'm aware of the expectancy at Newport, the first thing will be to get the players playing to their true potential. One of my aims will be to get the players to be aware, but they must make the decisions on the field and that takes time.

"It's a process of players thinking for themselves, we as coaches are there to equip them to do that."

Newport squad for Bristol: E Lewis, M Pini, J Rowles, H Luscombe, M Llewellyn, M Watkins, J Pritchard, A Marinos, N Brew, B Breeze, A N Other, S Howarth, L Lane, D Burn, C Jones, R Snow, J Richards, P Young, A Garvey, C Anthony, D Cross, R Jones, S Raiwalui (captain), P Buxton, G Gravell, J Forster, J Powell. Kick off 3pm.

* Joost van der Westhuizen will now arrive at Newport on September 4 because he is attending a family wedding on September 1. His debut will probably be in Munster on the 7th.

First published on Friday 10 August 2001: