HALL of famer Dai Pattison will make his 300th appearance for Newport against table-topping Carmarthen Quins at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.

The loosehead prop made his Black and Ambers debut against Newcastle on January 11, 2002, coming off the bench to pack down with Rod Snow and Paul Young.

The 33-year-old has gone on to become a Newport icon and only 15 players have represented the club more than Pattison, who captained the club in 2006/7 and 2007/8.

He overtook Tommy Vile's 298 against Bridgend earlier this month while Colin Smart's 306 is within sight, although David 'Muddy' Waters' 702 looks pretty safe.

Pattison, who has frequently turned out alongside hooker Andrew Brown and tighthead Gethin Robinson, will lead out the side against the Quins.

Head coach Sven Cronk has lauded the contribution that his former front row colleague has made to Newport.

"Dai is a go-to-guy for us," he said. "He is one of the best scrummaging looseheads in the Premiership and has performed consistently for a number of years.

"Dai's commitment is the same as it was when he first started and, in these days when players don't stay long at one club, he is a real Newport stalwart."

Seventh-placed Newport will be looking to pick up where they left off against Bridgend when a 28-13 success put some distance between them and the relegation dogfight.

They showed plenty of defensive steel to beat the Ravens and a repeat will be needed against the in-form Quins, who have won all seven of their Premiership games.

"It was a shame that the break for the internationals came after the Bridgend game because that was an excellent win," said Cronk.

"But after one down week the boys were straight back into training and we will need to be on our game against the Quins."

NEWPORT'S RECORD APPEARANCE HOLDERS: David Waters 702, Rhys Morgan 539, Keith Poole 486, Ian Ford 481, Jeff Watkins 381, Roy Burnett 373, George Boots 365, Roger Powell 341, Peter Rees 330, Brian Jones 330, Edwin Beddoe Thomas 318, Walter Martin 316, Bill Everson 314, Geoff Evans 313, Colin Smart 306, DAI PATTISON 299, Tommy Vile 298