Sione hoping for another win over his former club

UTILITY back Sione Tu'ipulotu is determined to help Albion record a win on his return to Newport tonight.

The Tongan international spent the 2003-04 season playing for the Welsh Premiership team before joining their 'parent' side, Magners League outfit Newport Gwent Dragons.

After two terms with the Dragons, Tu'ipulotu left in 2006 to join Japanese side Yokogawa.

But the versatile back moved to Plymouth in the summer and will head to Rodney Parade for tonight's British & Irish Cup clash intent on coming away with a victory.

"Newport is a club I really enjoyed my time at and I am looking forward to going back there," said Tu'ipulotu, who helped Albion to a narrow 19-17 win over Newport in pre-season.

"I still have a lot of friends at the club and it will be nice to catch up with some of them again.

"But come tonight and the game, I will forget all about that.

"I had a great time in Newport, but I play for Plymouth Albion now and they are my main concern. Once I put on a Plymouth shirt and cross the whitewash, my only thoughts will be about doing my best to try and help Plymouth win the match."

Tu'ipulotu, who celebrates his 31st birthday tomorrow, added: "It will probably be a tough game for us because Newport beat Exeter last week and they are going well in their league.

"But we definitely want to win the game and I hope I can play my part in helping the team achieve just that.

"In terms of motivation for the game, I have all there is possible to go out onto the pitch and play well.

"I don't want to let my Plymouth team-mates down."

While Newport enjoyed a 21-14 victory over Exeter Chiefs last Friday in their opening British & Irish Cup clash, Albion suffered a 16-13 home defeat to Leinster.

The nature of the loss was harsh on Graham Dawe's side after referee Andrew McMenemy awarded a debatable penalty with just four minutes of regulation time remaining, which Shaun Berne kicked to secure Leinster's win.

With just the top team in the six strong Pool A qualifying for the semi-finals, Tu'ipulotu believes Albion really need to triumph in South Wales tonight.

"It is vital to go to Newport and to try and get a win," said Tu'ipulotu.

"It is a huge chance for us to get our first victory in the British & Irish Cup and to put the loss to Leinster to rest.

"We played well against Leinster last Saturday, but unfortunately we just came up short.

"All the players have been giving it everything this week and will do the same again in the match tonight to try and come away with a win.

"A win tonight could be vital. Not just in terms of strengthening our position in the group, but because we don't want to enter the second half of the competition with two defeats."