Fly half Arwel Robson will make his long-awaited comeback when Dragons XV tackle Scarlets A in the Celtic Cup at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 1pm).
Robson has not played for Dragons since last December when he was a replacement in the home league game with Leinster Rugby.
The 22-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in training later that month that required surgery, but the Newport-born back now makes his return in the first part of a double-header of action this weekend.
The Dragons XV starting line-up sees a number of changes from the side that faced Cardiff Blues A last weekend in the capital.
Robson will line up alongside Dan Babos at half back while there are recalls for Carwyn Penny, Connor Edwards and Joe Goodchild while Tom Hoppe makes his first appearance in the competition this season.
Hooker Rhys Lawrence will pack down alongside Chris Coleman and Josh Reynolds up front while Wales Under-20s ace Ed Scragg and Max Williams will again join forces in the second row.
Flanker Ben Roach will captain the side from blindside flanker with Taine Basham and Ben Fry alongside him in the back row.
Dragons XV Head Coach Luke Narraway said: “There were positives to take from the Cardiff Blues fixture and now it is about how we respond to that game back on home soil.
“A number of young players who missed out last week are back in the mix and eager to impress. We’ll look to produce the same brand of rugby we did when we played Munster A in our last home game.
“It is set up to be a great day at Rodney Parade, with future and current stars in action, and hopefully we can set the tone in the first game.”
The Celtic Cup clash is followed by the Worthington’s Challenge Trophy fixture between Dragons and Scarlets at 4pm.
Ticket prices for the Double Header at Rodney Parade are just £10 for Adults and £5 for Juniors. Buy in advance to save on match day ticket prices, with adult ticket prices on the day £12.
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Dragons XV (v Scarlets A): Carwyn Penny, Rio Dyer, Tom Hoppe, Connor Edwards, Joe Goodchild, Arwel Robson, Dan Babos; Josh Reynolds, Rhys Lawrence, Chris Coleman, Ed Scragg, Max Williams, Ben Roach (c), Taine Basham, Ben Fry
Replacements: Will Griffiths, Jack Cosgrove, Luke Yendle, Max Ayling, Benji Hoppe, Dafydd Buckland, Ollie Lewis, David Richards, Morgan Richards, James McCarthy
