Newport Gwent Dragons go into their last Magners League game with major injuries and field seven academy members in the starting XV for the game against the Ospreys on Tuesday night (7.35pm)
In the backline Martin Thomas starts at full back in place of Kevin Morgan who has injured his hamstring. Gareth Maule moves to outside centre while Phil Dollman comes in at inside centre with Paul Emerick on the replacements bench. 19 year old Jimmy Norris comes in on the wing in place of the injured Aled Brew. Ceri Sweeney is still suffering with a strained back although he is named on the replacements bench with Aled Thomas keeping the number 10 jersey.
Among the forwards Adam Black picked up a toe injury against Connacht so David Maddocks comes in at loose head prop, Ben Daly comes in at hooker while Jamie Corsi has recovered from his stomach upset to make the starting line up. Andrew Hall and Peter Sidoli form a new second row partnership while Dan Lydiatt replaces the injured Colin Charvis but starts at blindside flanker with Joe Bearman moving to openside. Michael Owen will captain the side.
The injuries to Kevin Morgan (hamstring), Colin Charvis and Aled Brew (both leg) were sustained in The Dragons win over Connacht and they also picked up injuries to Luke Charteris (groin), Adam Black (toe) and Lee Harrison (foot) - all this on the back of the news that prop Rhys Thomas is out for the rest of the season and the Welsh tour with his foot injury and will be in plaster for three weeks.
Injuries have been the theme of The Dragons season with several players undergoing operations throughout the course of the season including - Ashley Smith, Lewis Evans, Gareth Chapman, Kieran Crawford (all shoulder) and Nic Fitisemanu (hand).
The Dragons also have long term injuries with Craig Warlow (foot) and Nathan Brew (ankle).
Dragons Team
15. Martin Thomas
14. Gareth Wyatt
13. Gareth Maule
12. Phil Dollman
11. Jimmy Norris
10. Aled Thomas
9. Alex Walker
1. Dai Maddocks
2. Ben Daly
3. Jamie Corsi
4. Andrew Hall
5. Peter Sidoli
6. Dan Lydiatt
7. Joe Bearman
8. Michael Owen
Replacements
16. Steve Jones
17. Gethin Robinson / Adam Black
18. Ian Gough
19. Jamie Ringer
20. Paul Emerick
21. Ceri Sweeney
22. Gareth Cooper / Gareth Baber
