As the Men of Gwent return to the European Challenge Cup, Jones has made seven personnel changes and two positional changes to the team that beat Benetton Rugby Treviso last weekend in the Guinness PRO12.
Flanker Nic Cudd, made his return to action last weekend off the bench against Benetton Rugby Treviso and this weekend will see him make his first start since suffering an injury against Worcester Warriors in December. The 28-year-old commented: “It was nice to get back last week and it will be good to carry that on.”
He continued, whilst talking about Enisei-STM: “We were all disappointed to lose out there but they are a tough team with some big guys.
“They are very effective with the pick-and-go game in the 22. They play a certain way and if you let them you are in for a tough time.
“Hopefully we’ve learnt the lessons from that trip and can take the game to them.”
There is one change in the back three made as Adam Warren moves from centre to wing to join Tom Prydie and fullback Carl Meyer. The centre partnership also has one change made to it as Jack Dixon joins Welsh International Tyler Morgan. Fly half Dorian Jones makes his return to the starting XV since his groin injury and joins last weekend’s Guinness Man of the Match Sarel Pretorius in the half-backs.
The front row sees prop Sam Hobbs join fellow prop Brok Harris and hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas, with the second row completely changed as Matthew Screech and Rynard Landman are given the nod. The back row sees Nick Crosswell move to flanker and is named as Captain and he joins flanker Nic Cudd and number 8 Ed Jackson.
The replacements bench sees Thomas Davies, Cory Hill, Harri Keddie, Angus O’Brien and Adam Hughes join Rhys Buckley, Lloyd Fairbrother and Tavis Knoyle.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Enisei-STM
15 Carl Meyer, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Adam Warren, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Sarel Pretorius; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Matthew Screech, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Nick Crosswell ©, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Cory Hill, Harri Keddie, Tavis Knoyle, Angus O’Brien, Adam Hughes.
