Jones has given five players their debut start, including South African scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, as the season kick-starts away from home in Galway.
Fullback Carl Meyer is one of the players who signed a full time contract with the Dragons during the summer and he is looking forward to beginning his campaign as a fully-fledged member of the squad. He commented: “I am really looking forward to being a full member of the squad now and I hope to contribute as much as I can.
"The main objective of coming over to Wales was to get a full-time contract and it's worked out pretty well. I am really grateful for the opportunity and am looking to do the best I can.”
The 24-year-old is joined in the back three by Tom Prydie and newcomer Nick Scott. The centre pairing sees the return of Ross Wardle from injury and ex-Scarlet Adam Warren. Fly-half and Dragons regular Jason Tovey pulls on the number 10 jersey and he is joined in the halfbacks by Sarel Pretorius.
The front row sees the inclusion of Boris Stankovich and newly signed prop Shaun Knight pack down along side hooker and the 2015/16 Dragons skipper Thomas Rhys Thomas. The second row sees Rynard Landman and Cory Hill named, with flankers Nick Crosswell and Nic Cudd joining recently signed number 8 Ed Jackson in the back row.
The replacements bench includes Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Brok Harris, James Thomas, James Benjamin, new recruit Charlie Davies, Dorian Jones and Tyler Morgan who has recently returned to the Dragons after training with Wales during their Rugby World Cup preparations.
Dragons team to face Connacht
Carl Meyer, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Adam Warren, Nick Scott, Jason Tovey, Sarel Pretorius; Boris Stankovich, T. Rhys Thomas ©, Shaun Knight, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Brok Harris, James Thomas, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Dorian Jones, Tyler Morgan.
Newport Gwent Dragons’ first game at Rodney Parade is against Zebre on Friday 11th September KO 19:05. Tickets are available online, email and over the phone – Click here to buy online, email ticketing@rodneyparadeltd.com or call 01633 674990.
