WALES’ 2009 Sevens World Cup-winning captain and former Ospreys back rower Lee Beach will skipper Newport in their coming campaign.

The highly-regarded flanker joined the club at the end of last season after playing for London Welsh in England’s top flight, the Aviva Premiership.

The 30-year-old takes over the captain’s armband from ex-Newport Gwent Dragons tighthead prop Gethin Robinson, who led the Black and Ambers last season.

The 6ft 3in and 16st 8lb Beach has a good pedigree and has also played for his native Pontypridd as well as Neath, Swansea and Maesteg.

He was a member of the Ospreys side who claimed the scalp of Australia in 2006, beating the Wallabies 24-16 at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

Beach started the game, the Welsh region downing an Aussie side which included Wallaby greats like Adam Ashley-Cooper, James Horwill and George Smith.

He is expected to make his Black and Ambers debut in Newport’s first pre-season friendly which is away to last season’s Championship runners-up Bargoed this weekend.

The game takes place today and is away at Bar-goed Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Newport have another friendly next Saturday when they travel to play one of England’s great clubs, Mos-eley (kick-off 3pm).

The Birmingham side have fallen on leaner times of late, playing in England’s second tier Championship.

They contain some interesting personnel in former Wales prop Ben Evans and ex-Dragons and Pontypool hooker Rhys Buckley.

The Black and Ambers’ competitive season gets under way when they play their great Gwent rivals Cross Keys away at Pandy Park on Saturday, August 31 (kick-off 2.30pm).

The game is a British and Irish Cup play-off clash which will go towards deciding which Premiership side from the Gwent region will compete in a new, revamped tournament.

The victors play a winner-takes-all tie away to Bedwas on Saturday, September 7.