Bath set to face weakened Newport

Newport revealed they have lost two more of their squad to the World Cup Sevens, ahead of their European Cup tie tonight against Bath, where the English side must score 11 tries to reach the quarter-finals.

The Gwent club, already eliminated, are without Matt Mostyn and Andy Marinos, both of whom travelled to Argentina yesterday to represent Ireland and Wales respectively at the World Cup Sevens, which start on Friday.

Newport ought to have more than enough in reserve to prevent Bath getting anywhere near their target - a tall order in perfect going, never mind mid-winter.

Bath have done it before, though, scoring 12 tries against London Scottish in May 1998 to qualify for the European Cup.