DRAGONS prospect Joe Westwood will follow in the footsteps of his father Jonathan when Newport RFC aim to repeat the trick against Pontypridd tomorrow evening.
The Black and Ambers took the Premiership Cup semi-final spoils 26-10 when the teams clashed in Bridgend last weekend to progress to the final, where they will meet old foes Cardiff.
Newport now start a hectic schedule of league games – five fixtures in 17 days – as they attempt to climb into the top four.
That will stretch their squad to the limit and head coach Ty Morris has tinkered with his team for the clash at Sardis Road, which will be streamed live by S4C.
Wales Under-20s international Westwood, who helped the Dragons seniors in their pre-match preparations at the Ospreys last weekend, lines up in midfield.
The 19-year-old has previously played in the Premiership for Ebbw Vale and now wears black and amber like Jonathan, who made 64 appearances for the club between 1991 and 1994.
Joe’s late grandfather Keith was also a coach at Newport after playing for Ebbw Vale and Newbridge.
Westwood is joined in the three-quarters by wing Walker Price, and full-back Geraint O'Driscoll, with Ioan Davies moving out wide.
Good weekend, B&As? 😏
— Newport RFC (@NewportRFC) March 27, 2023
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Scrum-half Luke Crane gets the nod as captain Matt O'Brien's half-back partner while there are five changes up front.
In come props Josh Reynolds and Garin Harris plus an all new back row of Josh Reid, Kyle Tayler and Lennon Greggains.
Dragons hooker James Benjamin is on the bench along with fit-again winger Lloyd Lewis.
Newport are currently 11 points behind fourth-placed Aberavon with three games in hand.
Ebbw Vale are two points back on the Wizards with one game in hand.
Ponty are in strange territory this season with just Llanelli beneath them thanks to a record of three wins and 14 defeats.
Newport: G O’Driscoll; I Davies, J Westwood, H Ackerman, W Price; M O’Brien (captain), L Crane; J Reynolds, E Shipp, G Harris, E Ferriman, C Hudd, J Reid, K Tayler, L Greggains.
Replacements: J Benjamin, T Workman, D Suter, R Jenkins, G Young, C Hope, C Foster-Smith, L Lewis.
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