The newly signed scum-half will make his first start for the Dragons after making his debut off the bench in the European Rugby Challenge Cup in Russia last weekend.
Scrum-half Knoyle is joined in the half-backs alongside experienced fly-half Nick Macleod. The centre partnership remains unchanged as Jack Dixon and Adam Warren retain their positions, whilst there is a change in the back three at fullback as Tom Prydie steps in alongside wings Pat Howard and Adam Warren.
The front row is all change as hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas returns to the starting XV alongside props Sam Hobbs and Brok Harris. The second row sees Nick Crosswell and Rynard Landman named, whilst the back row sees skipper Lewis Evans return with Nic Cudd keeping his place at flanker and Ed Jackson returning to number 8.
The replacements bench sees Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ollie Griffiths and Sarel Pretorius join Matthew Screech, Geraint Rhys Jones and Ashton Hewitt.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Ospreys
15 Tom Prydie, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Adam Warren, 10 Nick Macloed, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Nick Crosswell, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Lewis Evans ©, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ollie Griffiths, Sarel Pretorius, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ashton Hewitt
Players who are unavailable for selection: Cory Hill (Wales), Tyler Morgan (Wales), Hallam Amos (Wales), Harri Keddie (Wales), Leon Brown (Wales), Elliot Dee (Ankle), James Benjamin (Ankle), Ashley Sweet (Chest), Bryce Morgan (Concussion), Adam Hughes (Concussion), Dorian Jones (Groin), Carl Meyer (Groin), Charlie Davies (Hamstring), George Gasson (Knee), Joe Davies (Neck/ Shoulder), Lloyd Lewis (Shoulder), Angus O’Brien (Sick).
