NEW Pontypool boss Tom Hancock has called on his side to show more steel in defence when they face last season's top scorers Newport in the first Super Rygbi Cymru Gwent derby.
The rivals meet in Torfaen on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm) with both sides looking to bounce back from defeat.
The Black and Ambers had to be content with a pair of bonus points from a 30-28 loss to champions Llandovery at Spytty Park while Pooler lost 41-31 at Carmarthen Quins.
It was a first game since Hancock was confirmed as head coach after holding the reins all season following the sudden departure of Leighton Jones.
The former fly-half was brought in from Llandovery as backs coach to get the attack firing but he has pinpointed the defence and discipline as areas for concern.
Hancock, who combines the Pooler job with his coaching role with the Dragons academy, saw his side go 10-0 up in Carmarthen only to lose their way with 27 unanswered points.
They got back into it and the game was in the balance at 34-31 to the hosts after Dragons scrum-half Morgan Lloyd's second score earned a four-try bonus.
However, Quins scored their sixth try of the afternoon with the final play and left Pooler to reflect on a missed opportunity.
“We started the game very well playing some excellent rugby,” said Hancock. “As a group we are very disappointed by the way we then became ill disciplined and then compounded that with errors.
“We showed plenty of togetherness to get back into the contest but to leave with only one point hurts us.
“We have a clear understanding of where we went wrong and will look to rectify those points in an exciting fixture at home to Newport.
“We're conceding too many points and penalties, and fixing that will be our priority. If we do that, we feel we have the game to beat anyone in the league.”
Last season the Black and Ambers scored more points and tries than anyone else in the Premiership; they racked up 845 points in 24 games (average 35.2) and scored 122 tries (average 5.1).
This season they are averaging 33.3 points per game and 4.8 tries while Pooler’s defence is cause for concern.
Only Swansea have shipped more than their 169 points (average 33.8) and they have the eight worst tries against column with 21 (average 4.2).
Newport have started this season steadily with wins against Bridgend, Swansea and Aberavon but were not at their best against the Drovers, although Barney Nightingale's try with the clock in the red at least earned a pair of bonuses.
Ty Morris’ men did the double over Pooler last season and will be keen to avoid back-to-back losses, something that hasn’t happened since last November.
Ebbw Vale head to the Brewery Field to face Bridgend hunting a fourth win on the spin after their strong scrum helped to deal with RGC at Eugene Cross Park.
Jason Strange’s men have made a strong start to the campaign, sitting second behind Cardiff, but face a tough test against a Ravens side that have made great progress since last season.
In the Premiership, Cross Keys aim to back up their hard-earned derby win at Newbridge when they welcome Newcastle Emlyn to Pandy Park.
‘Bridge head west to Narberth while Bargoed face a tough test when they travel to the Wern to face a powerful Merthyr side who are looking like the team to beat after opting out of the SRC.
Super Rygbi Cymru fixtures: Bridgend v Ebbw Vale, Cardiff v Aberavon, Pontypool v Newport, RGC v Carmarthen Quins.
Premiership fixtures: Bonymaen v Llangennech, Cardiff Met v Pontypridd, Cross Keys v Newcastle Emlyn, Merthyr v Bargoed, Narberth v Newbridge, Neath v Ystrad Rhondda.
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