Josh Lewis will hit a half century of appearances for Dragons when the Men of Gwent tackle Cell C Sharks in the United Rugby Championship on Friday evening (kick-off 6.30pm UK time).
Lewis is named at fly half for the Round 14 fixture at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban as boss Dean Ryan makes nine changes to the starting line-up.
Scrum half Rhodri Williams joins Lewis at half back while the back line also sees call-ups for wing Jordan Olowofela and full back Ioan Davies.
Wales international trio Ross Moriarty, Will Rowlands and Leon Brown all return in the pack.
Prop Greg Bateman and lock Joe Davies are also included and set to make their first appearances on the South African tour.
Wales back row Taine Basham is named among the replacements, where there are all returns for Fiji international front row Mesake Doge and scrum half Lewis Jones.
“Sharks have a huge set piece, huge driving line out, huge midfield and huge kicking game,” said Ryan.
“Things that we had challenges with last week (against the Bulls) will be challenges again this week. We must work out how we can be smart and how we can impose ourselves within the game.
“It’s been great to have the Wales internationals join us in camp,” he added. “Some have had game time and come ready, others haven’t so it’s about integrating them back in.
“These two weeks have been about getting us ready for the most consistent run of games we will face this year at the end of this season.
“Some of our internationals play this week and some will be back playing over the next few weeks.”
Dragons: Ioan Davies, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Jordan Olowofela, Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Greg Bateman, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Will Rowlands, Harri Keddie (c), Ben Fry, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Taylor Davies, Aki Seiuli, Mesake Doge, Huw Taylor, Taine Basham, Lewis Jones, Will Reed, Jordan Williams
It’s been great to have the Wales internationals join us in camp.. Some have had game time and come ready, others haven’t so it’s about integrating them back in...
