The Men of Gwent take on hard hitting English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs at Rodney Parade, Friday 26th August, KO 19:30.
Carl Meyer gets the nod at fullback alongside wingers Adam Hughes and Pat Howard. A new look centre partnership is named, as Sam Beard gets his first run out in Dragons colours with Adam Warren. Fly-half Nick Macleod is joined in the half backs alongside scrum-half Sarel Pretorius.
The front row sees new props Sam Hobbs and Craig Mitchell get the nod and experienced hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas joins them. The second row sees Matthew Screech and Cory Hill join forces, whilst the back row consists of flankers Ollie Griffiths, Nic Cudd and number 8 Ed Jackson.
The replacements bench once again sees a mixture of youth and experience including Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Nick Crosswell, Harri Keddie, Luc Jones, Angus O’Brien, Jack Dixon, Darran Harris, George Gasson, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones and Ashley Sweet.
Newcomer Sam Hobbs, who starts for the Dragons tomorrow night commented: “We've got a massive challenge in Exeter, who are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment let alone England.
“There's nothing better for a front row forward than to test yourself against an Aviva Premiership finalist with the players they have at their disposal. If we can do well and put in a good performance then it will stand us in good stead for the league.”
He continued: “I know that I've got a point to prove. You get knocked down throughout your career and get marked down as a back-up or whatever.
“I feel that a fresh challenge, fresh coaches, fresh impetus and good competition can take me out of my comfort zone and get me performing consistently.
“There is a big challenge here as well though because Phil Price is out with a shoulder injury at the moment but has had a brilliant couple of seasons, he has played a lot of rugby and is underrated in this league. Tom Davies is competing with us and there are a couple of good youngsters in Luke Garrett and Keagan Bale, so by no means am I thinking it's going to be easy here.
“I am really enjoying the challenge of being in a new squad and it's about proving myself again.
“I was at a place for 10 years and now I need to earn the respect from the other players around me here at the Dragons, then the coaches and build on from that.”
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Exeter Chiefs
15 Carl Meyer, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Sam Beard, 11 Pat Howard, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Sarel Pretorius; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Matthew Screech, 5 Cory Hill, 6 Ollie Griffiths, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Nick Crosswell, Harri Keddie, Luc Jones, Angus O’Brien, Jack Dixon, Darran Harris, George Gasson, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ashley Sweet.
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Tickets are still available for this match and those with seasonal memberships are able to get into the match for FREE. For more information or to buy tickets to the game please click here or call 01633 674 990.
