Newport Gwent Dragons have made 4 changes to the side for this week’s derby clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday (7:05pm)
17 year old Hallam Amos will make his first RaboDirect PRO12 start at full back in place of Will Harries who went off injured last week. It will be Hallam’s second start for the Dragons after playing in the LV= Cup victory away at London Wasps earlier in the season.
Hallam will be the youngest player ever to start a Rabo match, breaking the current record held by Kristian Phillips who was 17 years 250 days when he started against Connacht in May 2008. Hallam will be 17 years 208 days when he starts.
At the other end of the experience scale, Luke Charteris is named in the starting line-up and will make his 100th RaboDirect PRO12 appearance on Friday night.
The other change in the backs comes at scrum half where Wayne Evans starts in place of Joe Bedford.
There are two changes in the pack, Steve Jones replaces Sam Parry at hooker and Jevon Groves starts at lock ahead of Rob Sidoli who is fast approaching 2000 minutes of rugby this season, having played an incredible 1952 minutes for the Dragons already.
Pat Leach is named on the bench and could be in line to make his first appearance since breaking his hand in the match between these sides in the LV= Cup match at the Brewery Field in January.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team
15 Hallam Amos
14 Tonderai Chavhanga
13 Adam Hughes
12 Ashley Smith
11 Aled Brew
10 Lewis Robling
9 Wayne Evans
1 Nathan Williams
2 Steve Jones
3 Nathan Buck
4 Luke Charteris (c)
5 Jevon Groves
6 Danny Lydiate
7 Lewis Evans
8 Toby Faletau
Replacements
16 Sam Parry
17 Phil Price
18 Dan Way
19 Rob Sidoli
20 Tom Brown
21 Joe Bedford
22 Martyn Thomas
23 Pat Leach
