NEWPORT boss Craig Warlow is braced for an emotional occasion on his Rodney Parade farewell, even if his deadpan expression suggests otherwise.

The Black and Ambers end their Principality Premiership campaign with a home encounter with second-placed Llandovery.

It will be a last game with Warlow at the helm after the head coach decided to step down after four years, handing the reins to his assistant Ty Morris.

"It will probably surprise people, but I am quite emotional," said former Dragons fly-half Warlow. "My face doesn't tell the picture and I am quite deadpan, not showing anything.

"But when you spend a lot of time at a place it is bound to be emotional, especially when the final whistle goes and your work is done.

"Everyone has been really nice and I suppose it will only sink in come August when Newport are getting on with things without me and I am yesterday's news."

South Wales Argus:

Warlow led Newport to the WRU National Cup final for the first time since 2003 last season, although they suffered a 41-7 hammering at the hands of Merthyr.

In the league he led the Black and Ambers to finishes in sixth and ninth either side of a tier two triumph in the season when there was experimentation with a split.

They head into this weekend seventh after ending a four-game losing streak against Cross Keys last time out.

"To be honest there is a little bit of frustration because I feel that we've never quite been able to nail a run-in after being in contention," said Warlow, who was named as Premiership coach of the year in 2018.

"Last year was relatively successful but we ended up finishing ninth and got stuffed in the cup final. We'll finish around the same place this season.

"But I guess that says a lot about the mindset of a coach – you are always striving for more and you are never completely satisfied."

Warlow's final test sees him lock horns with a Llandovery side who have climbed to second with eight wins in their last nine.

"They are a very good side and have a confident swagger," said the head coach. "They play lots with ball in hand and pressure you with their persistence and by keeping the ball alive.

"We have got to be good Newport – who are a match for anybody – rather than bad Newport this weekend."