Luke Charteris has been named in the Dragons’ starting line-up to face reigning RaboDirect PRO12 champions Munster at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3rd March, 6:30pm).
Charteris has recovered from a wrist injury to make his first appearance in a Dragons shirt this season and his first appearance on Welsh soil since returning from the World Cup. Centre Ashley Smith retains the Dragons captaincy for the Munster game having deputised capably in Charteris’ absence.
Tonderai Chavhanga returns to make his first appearance since suffering a rib injury in the match against the Ospreys on 6 January. He replaces Adam Hughes who is out with a facial injury he picked up last week in Italy. Will Harries also comes into the backline at full back replacing the injured Martyn Thomas.
Lewis Robling will make his first Dragons start at outside half against Munster on Saturday. He has largely been used as an inside centre during his first season with the senior Dragons side but has played at 10 a number of times when coming on as a replacement.
With Charteris coming back into the second row, Jevon Groves reverts to his preferred back row position in place of the injured Gavin Thomas. The final change in the Dragons starting XV is at prop where Nathan Williams comes in for Phil Price.
Amongst the replacements are flanker Darren Waters who has recovered from the knock he took against Edinburgh and 17 year old centre Jack Dixon who could make only his second senior Dragons appearance (and RaboDirect PRO12 debut) if he comes off the bench.
Newport Gwent Dragons Team
15 Will Harries
14 Tonderai Chavhanga
13 Andy Tuilagi
12 Ashley Smith (c)
11 Aled Brew
10 Lewis Robling
9 Wayne Evans
1 Nathan Williams
2 Steve Jones
3 Nathan Buck
4 Luke Charteris
5 Rob Sidoli
6 Jevon Groves
7 Lewis Evans
8 Tom Brown
Replacements
16 Sam Parry
17 Phil Price
18 Dan Way
19 Hugo Ellis
20 Darren Waters
21 Jonathan Evans
22 Jack Dixon
23 Steffan Jones
