Centre Jamie Roberts is set to return to the side as Dragons look to make it back-to-back wins when they take on the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park in Round Two of the Rainbow Cup on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).
Roberts missed the impressive victory over Scarlets in the opening round of the inaugural Rainbow Cup, where the Men of Gwent run in seven tries to win a 52-32 try fest at Rodney Parade.
The 94-times capped Welsh international is now set to return to the line-up at his old stomping ground having begun his professional career with Cardiff Blues.
And Director of Dragons Rugby, Dean Ryan, believes Roberts will be an important player in the Welsh capital clash.
“Jamie will definitely be playing and I think it will be great time for him to come back in,” said Ryan.
“He has been a fantastic role model for us and he is a real rock in the middle of that midfield.
“If we are going to utilise the opportunity to introduce some youngsters then it is really important that people like Jamie are there creating stability for them. He will be involved this week.
“He was only ever going to play one of these weeks. We looked at it and said we can look at Aneurin (Owen) in the twelve position against Scarlets, which was great for us.”
“But this is a game that I know Jamie will love to play in and he’s a real example to some of the youngsters that will be out there.”
Another player set to make his return to the Arms Park is young full back Ioan Davies - currently on loan at the Dragons.
The Wales Under-20s ace has had to bide his time since joining Dragons in February.
However, Ryan believes now is the perfect time for the 21-year-old to come into the environment.
He said: “Ioan will get a crack. We have been grateful to Cardiff that we have been able to have him here on loan, but with the performances of Josh Lewis and Jordan Williams he hasn’t had as many opportunities as we potentially thought.
“Now would be a good chance for him to come into the environment and get his feet on the grass a little bit with the team.
“You very much feel part of something when you have been able to get on the field and contribute and he is very excited about that opportunity this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Ryan has also given an update on scrum half Rhodri Williams who was taken off in the second half against the Scarlets after suffering a shoulder injury.
“He is sore but thankfully it is AC related which means he will be sore for a while, but that’s it,” he said.
“He isn’t involved this week and was never going to be. Gonzalo is going to come in and Dan Babos is going to continue his experience too.
“Rhod should appear in the latter games of this competition once some of that soreness has gone.”
If we are going to utilise the opportunity to introduce some youngsters then it is really important that people like Jamie are there creating stability for them. He will be involved this week...
