Newport face triple test to make successful promotion push
Newport's promotion hopes face three key tests in the coming weeks, with the Midlands One West leaders facing fellow high-fliers.
They return to league action with the short trip to Wolverhampton, followed by games against Bournville and Burton.
And director of rugby Chris Wilde reckons the matches will be pivotal to this season's promotion issues.
"The next three fixtures against Wolverhampton, Bournville and Burton will surely have a big bearing on who goes up," he said.
"These clubs are currently sitting third, second and fifth respectively.
"If we can produce what we are truly capable of then we will be fine – but that is always a big 'if' that only the players can answer.
"Although still early doors, Wolverhampton appear to be the surprise package having only lost one game thus far."
Newport go into the match buoyed by a 31-15 win at Dudley-Kingswinford in the North Midlands Cup first round.
It earns them a crack against Birmingham & Solihull – a repeat of last year's final in which Newport were cruelly denied on try countback after the teams drew 20-20.
Wilde admitted his side's performance against DK had been scrappy.
"We were good in parts and produced some excellent tries," he said.
"But there was also a lot of dirge served up which we will have to eradicate if we are to maintain our unbeaten start to the campaign, which now stretches to eight games if you include the pre-season win up at Waterloo.
"It will also be good to have another crack at Bees – but for now that has to be put to one side. It's an old cliché, but the league comes first."
