GAVIN Henson won’t be appearing at Rodney Parade despite his spell on the naughty step, but his absence doesn’t mean a change of tactics for Newport.

The Ospreys star, given a two-match ban after an argument with Liberty Stadium coaches Sean Holley and Jonathan Humphreys, warmed up with the Welsh All Whites before their game with Bridgend last week and was tipped to start tomorrow.

But after a good week of training it has been decided to keep Henson on the sidelines rather than throw him in with the semi-pro boys.

Not that his absence means that Newport have wasted hours of preparation and planning on how to deal with the 28-times capped inside centre.

Head coach Sven Cronk was confident that their existing systems would have enabled them to cope.

“I think we are capable of dealing with anyone and the minute you start changing things to counter what one player can do you are in trouble,” he said.

“Swansea are a dangerous, well-coached side and we cannot afford to be concentrating on any one man. We have prepared the way we always do and haven’t reorganised anything.”

And Cronk has been full of praise for his own inside centre – Scott Williams, who in fact played in the same Wales Under-21s side as Henson five years ago.

The 26-year-old is the fulcrum of the Newport defence and is displaying a sharper attacking edge than in recent seasons when he was used largely on the crash ball, as was shown by a deft cross-kick to winger Mike Poole for a try at Neath last weekend.

“Scott is playing some of his best rugby since he came back to the club (after seasons with Pertemps Bees and Pontypool) both in defence and attack,” said Cronk.

“He is back to enjoying his rugby and is benefiting from a good pre-season and getting into top condition.”

Newport suffered their first defeat of the season at Neath last weekend but they went toe-to-toe with the champions with the score level at 19-19 going into the closing stages.

Gnoll chief Rowland Phillips said after the game that the Black and Ambers were comfortably the best side they had faced this season, but that didn’t ease the pain of a defeat for Cronk.

“I spoke to Rowland after the game and he was very complimentary but, with respect, that doesn’t mean a lot because we were out to get the result,” he said.

“But it shows that we are on the right track if there is disappointment after pushing Neath hard and after producing some of the best stuff we have played at the Gnoll for a long time.

“Now we need to ensure that we get back to winning ways against Swansea. We have got a good feeling at home and the supporters are starting to come back through the gates.”

Jason Tovey moves to full-back allowing Dan Griffiths to return at fly-half while Mark Workman is given a well-deserved rest in the pack, Matthew Amos replacing him at lock.

Newport: J Tovey, P Jones, T Riley, S Williams, M Poole, D Griffiths, T Isaacs, I Evans, A Brown, A Murphy, A Jones, M Amos, D McShane, C Hill, A Coombs. Replacements: A Quick, N Williams, M Pizey, D Pattison, M Leaman, R Dale, M Workman.