FORMER Dragons lock Rynard Landman will make his Newport RFC return in their Premiership clash with Neath.
The 37-year-old made four appearances for the Black and Ambers in 2018 while at the Dragons.
The South African – who captained the Dragons and made 115 appearances for the club over five seasons – went on to have a successful spell in France with Soyaux Angouleme and Carcassonne.
Landman has returned to live in Rogerstone and has now linked up with Newport ahead of the Spytty Park encounter against the Welsh All Blacks.
Landman starts at lock alongside Josh Skinner while there is a welcome return at inside centre Harri Ackerman.
The Dragons prospect and Wales Under-20s international suffered a serious shoulder injury in last season’s Premiership Cup final defeat to Cardiff.
After back-to-back defeats to second-placed Ebbw Vale and leaders Llandovery, Ty Morris’ men are hunting a return to winning ways that would lift them back above the Steelmen, who lost at Aberavon on Thursday.
Third-placed Pontypool postponed their trip to RGC, citing front row availability problems.
“Having to postpone a scheduled game is not something the club would ever wish to do in anything other than exceptional and unavoidable circumstances,” read a club statement.
“We await the outcome of discussions between the WRU and RGC as to any sanctions or rearrangement of the fixture forthcoming.”
There is a Gwent derby in Championship East when Cross Keys welcome Bedwas to Pandy Park while Newbridge travel to leaders Ystrad Rhondda with second-placed Bargoed at Treorchy.
The fixture list could well be affected by the frost expected on Friday night.
Premiership: Carmarthen Q v Cardiff, Merthyr v Pontypridd, Newport v Neath, Swansea v Llandovery.
Championship East: Treorchy v Bargoed, Beddau v Glamorgan W, Cardiff Met v Penallta, Cross Keys v Bedwas, St Peters v Rumney, Ystrad Rhondda v Newbridge.