The Anglo-Welsh Cup returns after a season long break and the competition will be an opportunity to see some the Region’s young talent on show including Leon Brown, Arwel Robson and Harri Keddie.
21-year-old Jack Dixon has been named as tomorrow’s Captain and he cannot wait for the run out at Welford Road: “Leicester are a quality team and the boys can't wait to get there; we've heard the ground is great and they get good crowds.
“We are all excited for this one because a few of the old heads have said what a good experience it is there and it's a chance for some of the academy boys to have a run out.”
Looking back on the win last weekend against Connacht, he continued: “It was nice to get a good win over the champions and things have been really positive in training, the boys are smiling and laughing and we are looking forward to the weekend.
"We've set the bar now. We feel we haven't been far off getting the wins and we are going in the right direction, so we have to keep building."
Captain Dixon is joined in the centre partnership alongside Adam Warren, with the back three consisting of fullback Carl Meyer and wings Tom Prydie and last weekend’s Man of the Match Ashton Hewitt. Tavis Knoyle gets the nod at scrum-half as Geraint Rhys Jones has an opportunity to show his kicking skills at fly-half.
The front row sees props Phil Price and Craig Mitchell line up next to hooker Darran Harris. 20-year- old Joe Davies is joined in the second row by lock Matthew Screech, with a back row consisting of flankers James Thomas and Nic Cudd along with Wales Under 20s star Harri Keddie at number 8.
The replacements bench, which has an average age of 21, sees six potential debutants for the Men of Gwent as Leon Brown, Bedwas star Robson Blake, Josh Skinner, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson and Will-Tabot Davies. They are all joined on the bench by Elliot Dee and Sam Hobbs.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Leicester Tigers
15 Carl Meyer, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Jack Dixon ©, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Geraint Rhys Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Phil Price, 2 Darran Harris, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Joe Davies, 5 Matthew Screech, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Harri Keddie.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Sam Hobbs, Leon Brown, Robson Blake, Josh Skinner, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson, Will Talbot-Davies.
