Newport Gwent Dragons have named their team to take on European champions Stade Toulousain in the Heineken Cup this Saturday at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
There is a re-shuffle in the backs as Adam Hughes switches from the wing to his preferred position of outside centre, whilst Nathan Brew comes in to partner his brother Aled on the wings. Will Harries continues at full-back, as do Ashley Smith at inside centre and Jason Tovey at outside half. Wayne Evans returns at scrum half, having missed the Connacht match last week through injury. Pat Leach, Matthew Jones and James Leadbeater are the replacement backs.
Dan Lydiate return after an injury scare last week, joining Gavin Thomas and Toby Faletau in the back row. Lewis Evans, who proved a more than able deputy last week, is on the bench. Luke Charteris also comes back into the starting line-up, partnering Scott Morgan in the second row, with Rob Sidoli as back-up. Hooker Tom Willis captains the side, with Phil Price and Ben Castle the starting props. Steve Jones, Gethin Robinson and Pat Palmer provide the front row cover.
The French side were the victors at Rodney Parade back in October by 40 points to 19 despite a spirited performance from the hosts. The Dragons’ previous trip to Toulouse ended in a 26-7 defeat in December 2008, in the first of back-to-back Heineken Cup games. The Men of Gwent were defeated 26-13 in the return leg the following week at Rodney Parade.
DRAGONS TEAM:
W Harries, N Brew, A Hughes, A Smith, A Brew, J Tovey, W Evans; P Price, T Willis (c), B Castle, L Charteris, S Morgan, D Lydiate, G Thomas, T Faletau.
Replacements: S Jones, G Robinson, P Palmer, R Sidoli, L Evans, J Leadbeater, P Leach, M Jones.
There is a re-shuffle in the backs as Adam Hughes switches from the wing to his preferred position of outside centre, whilst Nathan Brew comes in to partner his brother Aled on the wings. Will Harries continues at full-back, as do Ashley Smith at inside centre and Jason Tovey at outside half. Wayne Evans returns at scrum half, having missed the Connacht match last week through injury. Pat Leach, Matthew Jones and James Leadbeater are the replacement backs.
Dan Lydiate return after an injury scare last week, joining Gavin Thomas and Toby Faletau in the back row. Lewis Evans, who proved a more than able deputy last week, is on the bench. Luke Charteris also comes back into the starting line-up, partnering Scott Morgan in the second row, with Rob Sidoli as back-up. Hooker Tom Willis captains the side, with Phil Price and Ben Castle the starting props. Steve Jones, Gethin Robinson and Pat Palmer provide the front row cover.
The French side were the victors at Rodney Parade back in October by 40 points to 19 despite a spirited performance from the hosts. The Dragons’ previous trip to Toulouse ended in a 26-7 defeat in December 2008, in the first of back-to-back Heineken Cup games. The Men of Gwent were defeated 26-13 in the return leg the following week at Rodney Parade.
DRAGONS TEAM:
W Harries, N Brew, A Hughes, A Smith, A Brew, J Tovey, W Evans; P Price, T Willis (c), B Castle, L Charteris, S Morgan, D Lydiate, G Thomas, T Faletau.
Replacements: S Jones, G Robinson, P Palmer, R Sidoli, L Evans, J Leadbeater, P Leach, M Jones.
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