Will Talbot-Davies returns to the starting line-up – while there are also comebacks for Brandon Nansen and Lewis Evans – as Dragons face Toyota Cheetahs in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5.15pm).
Talbot-Davies, who has been out of action since injuring his wrist in early January, is back in the team for the league encounter at Rodney Parade.
Dean Ryan, Director of Dragons Rugby, makes three changes to the side that were narrowly beaten in Scotland against Glasgow Warriors.
Prop Aaron Jarvis starts at loose-head, with Brok Harris ruled out, while Taine Basham is named at openside after being released by Wales.
A new-look back row sees Harri Keddie play at blindside while Ollie Griffiths is named at Number Eight.
Lock Matthew Screech will hit a personal milestone as he makes his 100th Guinness PRO14 appearance after being named in the second row alongside Joe Davies.
The bench sees welcome returns for Nansen, who could make his second appearance of the season and the experienced Evans, while young prop Chris Coleman is also called-up.
“We’re all looking forward to being back on home soil,” said Ryan. “All homes games are important to us and we now want to build on last week’s game in Scotland.
“We understand this is a tough period for us, with some of our senior players away, but it is an opportunity for others that they must take.
“The Cheetahs have an ambitious game plan and pose threats all over the field,” he added.
“However, they’ve had three weeks in the rain over here, which has been tough for them. We’ve got to see if we can make it a bit tougher for them this weekend.”
Dragons (v Toyota Cheetahs): Will Talbot-Davies, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Aaron Jarvis, Ellis Shipp, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Harrison Keddie, Taine Basham, Ollie Griffiths
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Chris Coleman, Brandon Nansen, Lewis Evans, Tavis Knoyle, Jacob Botica, Joe Goodchild
Watch the Dragons when they welcome their South African side Toyota Cheetahs to Rodney Parade on Saturday (kick-off 5:15pm). Click HERE to buy your tickets and join us for more top Guinness PRO14 action. Advance price tickets available until midnight on Friday!
They’ve had three weeks in the rain over here, which has been tough for them... We’ve got to see if we can make it a bit tougher for them this weekend...
