Boss Dean Ryan is ready to include Rugby World Cup duo Elliot Dee and Aaron Wainwright for the European clash with Worcester Warriors – but admits integrating his Wales players must be done ‘the right way’.
Dee and Wainwright could be set to make the trip to Sixways on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and make a first appearance of the season for the region after their heroics at the World Cup in Japan.
However, Ryan insists he will not make wholesale changes and getting the blend right over the coming weeks is crucial.
“It’s great to have them back in with us,” said Ryan. “It's a crucial time and we are moving into some important fixtures over Christmas.
"We've got a challenge of how we integrate across Europe to give ourselves a chance going into the derbies.
“They don’t all jump in first week; it would cause too much disruption for us.
"Aaron (Wainwright), Elliot (Dee) and Leon (Brown) are all guys we will try and get involved. In what capacity, we will see.
“We won’t be rushing and it would lack respect for people who have worked hard to get in the team. We have to integrate the right way and over a longer period of time.”
Ryan also revealed Ross Moriarty will miss the weekend's European game after illness kept him out of Wales' match against the Barbarians last weekend.
“We still have some issues over Ross (Moriarty) and Cory (Hill) which we have got to manage - we don’t want that to go backwards,” he said.
"Ross has lost a bit of weight and not felt very well for some time. That comes from the World Cup and it was something that affected his immune system. We are not in a rush for him, it's important that we take the right steps."
Dragons are next in home action on Friday, December 13 when we welcome Worcester Warriors to Rodney Parade in the European Challenge Cup. Tickets are on sale NOW - click HERE to buy and take advantage of Early Bird rates.
We won’t be rushing and it would lack respect for people who have worked hard to get in the team...
