Newport Gwent Dragons have named eight internationally capped players in their squad to face Worcester Warriors tomorrow night at Rodney Parade (7.30pm).
Paul Turner is hoping his new summer signings can impress against an ambitious Warriors outfit high on confidence turner has named a star line-up featuring seven debutants and an exciting blend of youth and experience.
The Dragons squad have spent a lot of time bonding over the past month, but this is their first real taste of rugby this season against a much improved Worcester team that are aiming for silverware under the leadership of Pat Sanderson.
Rodney Parade will also welcome back Adam Black who will be out to impress on his old stomping ground, but Dragons will not let friendships steal their attention. Tom Willis commented, “I’m looking forward to packing down against Blackie, but we will want to let him know what he left behind.
“I’m very happy the games are starting and a new season getting underway, we have spent a lot of time conditioning over the summer, but now we have to put it into practice.”
The pre-season preparation has been going well for the Dragons, but the whole squad are anxious to get back on the field and take off where they left it against Calvisano. The late withdrawal of former New Zealand scrum-half Danny Lee (hamstring strain) has led to a call-up for Alex Walker who will be keen to impress after his successful loan spell with London Welsh.
Four players remain on the injury list for the region; Adam Brown, Hoani MacDonald, Rhodri Gomer Davies and the returning Matthew J Watkins. Nevertheless a strong Dragons team will be aiming for a positive performance as they build-up to the Magners League kick-off against Ulster on 6th September (14.05).
The Dragons players will also be attending Motorpoint Newport on 22nd August from 10.30 to 12.30 for a ‘Meet the Players’ signing session.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team:
15. Jason Tovey
14. Aled Brew
13. Tom Riley
12. Ashley Smith
11. Richard Fussell
10. James Arlidge
9. Wayne Evans
1. Phil Price
2. Tom Willis
3. Ben Castle
4. Adam Jones
5. Luke Charteris
6. Danny Lydiate
7. Gavin Thomas
8. Lewis Evans
Replacements: Steve Jones, Nigel Hall, Ali McKenzie, Rob Sidoli, Grant Webb, James Harris, Alex Walker, Shaun Connor,
Worcester Warriors Team:
15. Chris Latham
14. Marcel Garvey
13. Alex Grove
12. Sammy Tuitupou
11. Miles Benjamin
10. Willie Walker
9. Jonny Arr
1. Adam Black
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tevita Taumoepeau
4. Will Bowley
5. Craig Gillies
6. Tom Wood
7. Pat Sanderson (C)
8. James Rodwell
Replacements: Jack Gilding, Chris Fortey, Oliver Sourgens, Greg Rawlins, James Collins, Matthew Cox, Ryan Powell, George Crook, Michael Penn, Greg King, Rico Gear, Calum Macrae.
Written by Gareth Alred
Paul Turner is hoping his new summer signings can impress against an ambitious Warriors outfit high on confidence turner has named a star line-up featuring seven debutants and an exciting blend of youth and experience.
The Dragons squad have spent a lot of time bonding over the past month, but this is their first real taste of rugby this season against a much improved Worcester team that are aiming for silverware under the leadership of Pat Sanderson.
Rodney Parade will also welcome back Adam Black who will be out to impress on his old stomping ground, but Dragons will not let friendships steal their attention. Tom Willis commented, “I’m looking forward to packing down against Blackie, but we will want to let him know what he left behind.
“I’m very happy the games are starting and a new season getting underway, we have spent a lot of time conditioning over the summer, but now we have to put it into practice.”
The pre-season preparation has been going well for the Dragons, but the whole squad are anxious to get back on the field and take off where they left it against Calvisano. The late withdrawal of former New Zealand scrum-half Danny Lee (hamstring strain) has led to a call-up for Alex Walker who will be keen to impress after his successful loan spell with London Welsh.
Four players remain on the injury list for the region; Adam Brown, Hoani MacDonald, Rhodri Gomer Davies and the returning Matthew J Watkins. Nevertheless a strong Dragons team will be aiming for a positive performance as they build-up to the Magners League kick-off against Ulster on 6th September (14.05).
The Dragons players will also be attending Motorpoint Newport on 22nd August from 10.30 to 12.30 for a ‘Meet the Players’ signing session.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team:
15. Jason Tovey
14. Aled Brew
13. Tom Riley
12. Ashley Smith
11. Richard Fussell
10. James Arlidge
9. Wayne Evans
1. Phil Price
2. Tom Willis
3. Ben Castle
4. Adam Jones
5. Luke Charteris
6. Danny Lydiate
7. Gavin Thomas
8. Lewis Evans
Replacements: Steve Jones, Nigel Hall, Ali McKenzie, Rob Sidoli, Grant Webb, James Harris, Alex Walker, Shaun Connor,
Worcester Warriors Team:
15. Chris Latham
14. Marcel Garvey
13. Alex Grove
12. Sammy Tuitupou
11. Miles Benjamin
10. Willie Walker
9. Jonny Arr
1. Adam Black
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tevita Taumoepeau
4. Will Bowley
5. Craig Gillies
6. Tom Wood
7. Pat Sanderson (C)
8. James Rodwell
Replacements: Jack Gilding, Chris Fortey, Oliver Sourgens, Greg Rawlins, James Collins, Matthew Cox, Ryan Powell, George Crook, Michael Penn, Greg King, Rico Gear, Calum Macrae.
Written by Gareth Alred
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