CHRIS Wannell is handed the chance to press his claims for a regular start at fly-half after being handed Newport’s number 10 jersey for the Swalec Cup clash against his old side.

The 21-year-old headed to Rodney Parade from Blackwood and was impressive for the Glan-yr-Afon Park side when the sides met in the cup in 2008.

The Black and Ambers triumped 40-21 on that occasion and are hot favourites to repeat the trick and safely make it into round four.

Wannell will be a key figure if they are to live up to that billing and he gets his chance in the absence of experienced number 10 Gareth Bowen, who is away on a break booked before he joined Newport in November.

"It’s a big opportunity for Chris," said head coach Sven Cronk. "Gareth has been doing well.

"He has shown his experience by giving us a bit more control and by bossing forwards so Chris needs to take a leaf out of his book."

The Black and Ambers earned a home tie against Blackwood by ruthlessly putting away Felinfoel.

They ran 12 tries in against their Division One West opponents with referee Hugh Watkins calling an end to proceedings after just 68 minutes with the score at 74-15.

Blackwood are also in the second tier but Newport expect a much sterner test against their Gwent rivals.

The Black and Ambers are boosted by the return to fitness of back row forwards James Thomas and Dan McShane, who both start on the bench.

Newport: A Awcock, M Pewtner, N Brew, S Williams, M Poole, C Wannell, J Leadbeater, D Pattison, Andrew Brown, G Robinson, D Rosser, Adam Brown, A Frampton, C Hill, S Waldron. Replacements: R Jones, O Broad, M Evans, I Evans, A Ellis, J Thomas, D McShane.

- The Black and Ambers have benefited from nearly £12,000 so far this season raised by The Friends of Newport Rugby Trust’s sponsor a player scheme.

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BLACKWOOD will be Gunning for Newport when they head to Rodney Parade tomorrow afternoon.

The Glan-yr-Afon Park outfit are known for playing an attractive brand of rugby and they don’t intend to go into their shells against the Premiership outfit.

“Like Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League, we won’t be changing the way that we play,” said backs coach Jeremy Lloyd.

“We will go out there and be ourselves. We will try and play an attractive, expansive game and if we are on the wrong end of a 40-point drubbing then so be it.

“There is no way that we would go there looking to be negative.”

Blackwood, who enjoyed a bye in round two of the Swalec Cup, are having a solid season in Division One East.

They sit in sixth place in the table, well away from the relegation places but adrift of the title battle.

Tomorrow’s Gwent derby promises to be the highlight of their season and Lloyd believes enjoyment is the key to his charges doing themselves justice.

“It’s all about all 22 players getting the chance to go to Rodney Parade and pit their wits against a quality side,” he said.

“We will be playing on one of the best surfaces in Wales and it will be quite a bit different from our last game at Gilfach Goch!

“We want to put on a show for Division One and I have no doubt that Newport will pick a strong side, which is a compliment to us really.”