Sheffield are back on their travels this weekend following yet another impressive home showing, this time in comfortably dispatching Luctonians 26-7. Not only exercising some of the demons of last years ill-fated National 2 campaign, but also gaining valuable points in their pursuit of Midlands Premier success.

Sheffield managed to move themselves into 7th place with this controlled home victory, but with the league so tight and anybody seemingly able to beat anybody on their day, the 11 point gap between them and top of the table Scunthorpe appears to be undoubtedly bridgeable.

Newport (Salop) lie in wait at the conclusion of the two hour journey down the A38. They are a team that has looked in good fettle for the majority of the season, with five wins from their seven games. The Shropshire club now sit in third place, following their defeat away at league leaders Scunthorpe last week, by 25 points to 19.

Indeed, Sheffield will do well to be wary of a team that has scored a league leading 257 points so far. However, recent form suggests that this one could well be a close run encounter rather than a try-fest, with four of Newport’s last 5 games being settled by under 7 points. They will, though, embrace the mantle of being an expansive and entertaining side at home. They will be buoyed by a fine showing from young Fly-Half Jake Leonard last week and will hope to see threat coming through perennial danger men Hendry Vaka and Meli Navaka.

Sheffield will carry plenty of threat of their own, although they are without new recruit Quentin Laulu Togaga’e this week, with Lewis Bowman in exceptional form and Rupert Broadley continuing to offer power and pace week-in-week-out. The return of Captain and number 9 Steve DePledge has brought another dimension to the attacking platform, which Sheffield will be happy to retain this week.

It will be in the confrontation and resilience of a defence that has conceded just two tries in four home games where Sheffield will hope to orchestrate victory though. They have looked somewhat porous on the road so far, but that can only be a mental issue, and one, which will surely be overcome. The ferocity of the collisions in the weekend’s win will be cause for Newport attackers to think twice before making their carry.

In the pack, the absence of Tom Womack sees a debut for Charlie Mason at six, the nephew of former player and current Club Vice President Paul Bradwell, seeing his reward for some impressive performances with the 2nd XV. Sheffield will hope that he adds more firepower to an already intimidating set.

In the backs, the only change sees Will Hodgson return from injury to replace Laulu Togaga’e at 15.

The bench is all change, however, with the “still retired” Tommy Marples making a return to the 16 shirt due to Ben Whitney’s absence. There is also a place for Canadian import Jason Hignell, whose dynamism was rewarded with a try for the 2nd XV last week, and is now rewarded with a 1st XV debut.

If Sheffield can finally replicate what has been tantalising home form on the road this week, this will surely not be one to miss. This already has the feel of an incredibly important fixture for both clubs, with a Sheffield win cementing their place amongst the upper-echelons of the league.

Good luck boys!

Kick off at 3.00pm - Follow @SheffieldRUFC for text commentary