AFTER three weeks on their travels Newport head back to Rodney Parade determined to get back in the winning groove.

The Black and Ambers suffered their first defeat of the season at champions Neath last weekend but four wins from five represents an excellent start to the campaign.

But if Newport, second favourites for the title with the bookies, are to be in the running come May then they need to keep impressing on their own patch.

Swansea head east this afternoon and not only are they without Gavin Henson, who had been tipped to start, but they lack a genuine fly-half.

Former Newport man James Dixon misses out with concussion while Dan Biggar is on Ospreys duty with Kiwi Damian Karuana also at the Liberty Stadium in his role as video analyst.

That means centre David Watts fills in against a Newport side that have the luxury of field two players who can play at fly-half - Dan Griffiths at 10 with Jason Tovey moving to 15.

Swansea are a dangerous side and play some terrific rugby but if the home pack, who have been in terrific form, can get the upper hand then it should be a third Rodney Parade win of the campaign.

Pontypool are also on their own patch and will be looking to send Bedwas packing as they did to Llandovery last weekend.

Pooler are without a number of top players through injury but that gives other squad members the chance to show what they can do.

Sam Mills makes a welcome return at fly-half and he will need to keep a dogged Bedwas side pinned back in their own half.

The visitors are always intense and fierce at the breakdown, so big performances will be needed from the mobile members of Pooler’s pack.

The Drovers were unable to record their first victory of the season at Pontypool Park last weekend and Ebbw Vale will aim to keep a ‘0’ in the win column this afternoon.

The Steelmen had a super win at Cardiff last weekend but need to build up a head of steam against a side that looked short on confidence on their travels to Gwent.

The midfield combination of Aaron Bramwell and Kristian Owen worked well at the Arms Park and if the former has his kicking boots on again then Vale could well add to Llandovery’s woes.

Cross Keys are having a hard time of it at the moment but it wasn’t all doom and gloom after Llanelli inflicted their fourth defeat of the campaign last weekend. Keys pushed the unbeaten leaders hard and could easily have taken the spoils.

They will need an equally determined effort at Aberavon this afternoon as the Wizards are formidable on their own patch.

It is nearly a year since they were beaten at the Talbot Athletic Ground but the return of influential full-back Leon Andrews and exciting centre Carl Pocock gives hope to the Pandy Park outfit.

It is a tough ask for Keys to win, but they are a side that loves a backs-to-the-wall situation.

Other fixtures: Glamorgan Wanderers v Bridgend, Neath v Cardiff (1.30pm), Llanelli v Pontypridd (5.30pm, S4C).