Newport Gwent Dragons have made 5 changes to the starting line up for the visit of Exeter Chiefs to Rodney Parade on Sunday (5:45pm).
Half back pairing Wayne Evans and Jason Tovey return to start in place of Joe Bedford and Steffan Jones respectively. Lewis Robling provides the fly half cover on the bench as Jones drops out of the 23 man squad.
Anitelea Tuilagi starts in the centres again, this time partnered by Adam Hughes who moves in from the wing. Aled Brew is fully fit to start and takes Hughes’ place on the left wing and on the other wing Tonderai Chavhanga comes back into the line-up having missed the game in Exeter with a groin injury.
There is only one change in the pack with Nathan Williams starting ahead of Phil Price at prop.
There is a shuffle on the bench with Tom Brown replacing Scott Morgan who suffered a pectoral injury in Devon and Phil Price, Joe Bedford and Will Harries dropping down from the starting line-up.
Dragons Head Coach Darren Edwards said “Tonight’s game, no matter what happened last weekend was always going to be must win, whether we’d won or lost. That’s the way European tournaments work: you have to win your home games first and foremost, so I don’t feel there’s any extra pressure tonight because of Sunday’s result.”
“I am extremely happy with the team I have available for the game, I think there is a good balance there and the players selected are quality players who can make things happen.”
Newport Gwent Dragons
Martyn Thomas, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adam Hughes, Anitelea Tuilagi, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Nathan Williams, Lloyd Burns, Nathan Buck, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas (C), Toby Faletau
Replacements
Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Keiron Jenkins, Lewis Evans, Tom Brown, Joe Bedford, Lewis Robling, Will Harries
