Following an impressive performance against the Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons will be looking to secure quarter final qualification in the LV= Cup on Sunday as they take on Saracens at Vicarage Road.
Ashley Smith will captain the side as Jason Tovey gets his second consecutive start at fly half with Martyn Thomas covering ht e15 position.
Ben Castle gets his first start for the region since his return from the ruptured bicep he suffered in the pre-season friendly against Worcester and Danny Lydiate, who has been released from the Welsh squad for the weekend starts in the back row.
Steve Jones starts again at hooker with Duane Goodfield providing cover on the bench.
“We’ve rewarded those players who did well last weekend” said Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner. Although it’s frustrating not to have our younger players available through international commitments, we were able to give opportunities to some of our senior squad last weekend and they made the most of them.”
Dragons are currently lying second in pool 4 of the competition – 4 points behind pool leaders Northampton who face Leicester Tigers at home on Saturday with only the top team going through to the semi finals of the tournament, the Dragons need Leicester to do the business on Saturday as well as a result on Sunday.
Dragons Team for Saracens
Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Ashley Smith (C), Richard Fussell, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Hugh Gustafson , Steve Jones, Ben Castle, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Danny Lydiate,Gavin Thomas, Grant Webb.
Replacements
Duane Goodfield, Aaron Coundley, Pat Palmer,Hoani MacDonald, Lewis Evans, James Leadbeater, James Arlidge, Aled Brew.
Ashley Smith will captain the side as Jason Tovey gets his second consecutive start at fly half with Martyn Thomas covering ht e15 position.
Ben Castle gets his first start for the region since his return from the ruptured bicep he suffered in the pre-season friendly against Worcester and Danny Lydiate, who has been released from the Welsh squad for the weekend starts in the back row.
Steve Jones starts again at hooker with Duane Goodfield providing cover on the bench.
“We’ve rewarded those players who did well last weekend” said Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner. Although it’s frustrating not to have our younger players available through international commitments, we were able to give opportunities to some of our senior squad last weekend and they made the most of them.”
Dragons are currently lying second in pool 4 of the competition – 4 points behind pool leaders Northampton who face Leicester Tigers at home on Saturday with only the top team going through to the semi finals of the tournament, the Dragons need Leicester to do the business on Saturday as well as a result on Sunday.
Dragons Team for Saracens
Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Ashley Smith (C), Richard Fussell, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Hugh Gustafson , Steve Jones, Ben Castle, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Danny Lydiate,Gavin Thomas, Grant Webb.
Replacements
Duane Goodfield, Aaron Coundley, Pat Palmer,Hoani MacDonald, Lewis Evans, James Leadbeater, James Arlidge, Aled Brew.
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