JUST days after taking centre stage in Newport’s dramatic win over Neath, fly-half Lewis Robling has been forced out of action tonight… by a school play!

The Black and Ambers will have to make do without the 18-year-old playmaker against Pontypool because he is treading the boards.

Dragons Academy fly-half Robling kicked a last-gasp penalty to help Newport to a 27-24 win over the Welsh All Blacks but will not be available against Pooler.

Dan Griffiths is out for the rest of the season with a leg injury but Chris Wannell is poised to make a timely return from a neck injury to wear the number 10 jersey.

“I’ve had some phone calls in my time but never any like I had on Monday,” said head coach Sven Cronk.

“Lewis told me he would not be able to take part in training or play against Pontypool because he is in a school play. To say I was taken aback is an understatement!”

The win over Neath ensured a perfect 13 wins from 13 at Rodney Parade in the Premiership this season and another target was achieved last night.

The Black and Ambers have qualified for next season's British and Irish Cup after Neath's win at Pontypridd and Cardiff's draw with Aberavon sealed a top four finish.

Some clubs have questioned the worth of the cross-border competition but Newport certainly enjoyed it this season.

It was a step up in intensity and quality, proving that several Black and Ambers can make the step up from the Premiership.

The Dragons have made their move accordingly and wing Mike Poole and centre Pat Leach are likely to sign deals before the end of the week that will see them involved in the regional set-up next season, but also getting game time at Newport.

“A number of the boys impressed in the British and Irish Cup and that makes any decision easier for the Dragons,” said Cronk.

“Andrew Coombs has learnt a lot from being involved with the region recently and I’m sure others can follow his lead.

“They have got bags of potential and the Dragons have seen that. Why go outside of the region when there are players who are committed and will give it their all here?”

Newport field Sam Waldron, who is usually a blindside flanker, on the openside in the absence of Craig Hill and Paul Williams.

Newport: G Wyatt, M Poole, A Hughes, P Leach, A Awcock, C Wannell, A Walker, D Pattison, Andrew Brown, G Robinson, D Rosser, Adam Brown, R Dale, S Waldron, A Coombs (captain). Replacements: A Quick, N Williams, S Williams, D Way, L Hunter, M Workman, D McShane.