The influential centre has been out of action since suffering a knee injury during a pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints.
The 29-year-old has been named amongst 13 changes and one positional change to the side that faced table toppers Exeter Chiefs last weekend at Rodney Parade.
Tom Prydie moves from wing to fullback as Matthew Pewtner returns to the back three alongside wing Ashton Hewitt. The centre partnership consists of Pat Leach, who makes his return from injury, and Ashley Smith who retains his place from last weekend. Angus O’Brien steps up to take on the role of fly half and Luc Jones gets his first start of the 2014/15 season as scrum-half.
The front row is all change as props Phil Price and Brok Harris get the nod; they are joined by Thomas Rhys Thomas who starts as hooker. The second row consists of Andrew Coombs who is joined by South-African skipper Rynard Landman. Lewis Evans returns in the back row as flanker and joins young gun James Benjamin who retains his place. Nick Crosswell makes the move from flanker to number 8 to complete the back row.
There are five changes to the replacements bench as Boris Stankovich will look to get his first run out after recovering from his injury. He joins Rhys Buckley, Dan Way, Ian Gough, Scott Matthews, Richie Rees, Jason Tovey and Jack Dixon on the bench.
Dragons team to face London Welsh
Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Ashton Hewitt, Angus O’Brien, Luc Jones; Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman (c), Lewis Evans, James Benjamin, Nick Crosswell.
Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Boris Stankovich, Dan Way, Ian Gough, Scott Matthews, Richie Rees, Jason Tovey, Jack Dixon.
Tickets are still on sale for Sundays LV=Cup encounter, so make sure that you #PlayYourPart and get behind the Dragons. Call the ticket office to buy your tickets on 01633 674990 or go to www.newportgwentdragons.com/tickets
