My dad would have taken me down there as he was a Newport season-ticket holder for about 30 years.
I grew up on the terraces there, watching Newport play the likes of Cardiff and Llanelli. It was so tight that you’d be able to walk with the players from the pitch to the changing rooms after the game, which was pretty cool.
First rugby hero? That will have been PERCY MONTGOMERY, the South African full-back who went on to win the World Cup in 2007. He played at Newport and then Newport Gwent Dragons between 2002 and 2005 when I was in my late teens. I idolised him.
First rugby boots? I had a pair of ADIDAS COPA MUNDIALS with moulded studs.
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ALL EYES ON ROSS
OSS VINTCENT sees a lot of similarities between Exeter and Italy, the two teams for whom he struts his powerful, dynamic stuff. The 22-year-old No 8 recognises the crossover in age profile and mentality but is also well aware of the potential shared pitfalls, having been part of a young Chiefs group's struggles to back up an impressive breakout campaign.
BABY BLEU
Léo Barré is the latest in a line of young French stars hoping to bury the blues of last season's World Cup
Tom Voyce
RW pays tribute to the late England wing who was a key part of Wasps' golden era
"Scotland v Ireland is key to the whole shooting match"
Selection for the Lions four will hinge greatly on the Six Nations, says Stephen Jones. So who are the bolters who can force their way in?
Spanish steps
It's a new era for los Leones and their impressive coach Pablo Bouza - and only qualification for the 2027 World Cup will do
OLD PRIORIAN RFC
Giving grass-roots rugby the love that it deserves....
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MEL DEANE
I WAS at Wasps as a youngster, then signed for Richmond as a pro when I finished university in 1996. I played in Richmond's 106-12 win over Bedford in 1999 - still the biggest-ever Premiership victory.
MY RUGBY WORLD WITH STUART MCINALLY
The ex-Scotland captain turned commercial pilot on Blair Kinghorn, lucky boxers and a famous try
"YOU'RE A LONG TIME RETIRED"
After a ten-year hiatus, Rugby World editor Joe Robinson strapped the boots back on and returned to the rugby field
DOWNTIME WITH... Helena Rowland "I'd love to learn the fiddle and play country music"
The Loughborough and Red Roses star on violin playing, air fryers and historical fiction
