Dragons Head Coach Darren Edwards has named a 27-man squad for the region’s match against the Ospreys on Friday (Rodney Parade, 7:05pm). The squad will be captained by Danny Lydiate who will be leading the region for the first time in the derby clash.
The region has had good news regarding Jason Tovey who is expected to be fit for selection for the Ospreys clash. Tovey left the field against the Scarlets last Friday with a knee problem but scans have shown no significant damage and the outside half has been named in the region’s squad for Friday’s crunch derby.
However, Dragons wing Adam Hughes has joined the list of injured at Rodney Parade following the ankle injury he picked up in the same game and is not expected to be available this weekend although he could well avoid a longer layoff. The loss of another player to the injury list is offset by the return to the squad of centres Tom Riley and Ashley Smith.
The Dragons have a good recent record against the Ospreys, doing the double over them last season and the Ospreys have only won once at Rodney Parade in the history of regional rugby.
Newport Gwent Dragons Squad
Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Tonderai Chavhanga, Aled Brew, Tom Riley, Anitelea Tuilagi, Ashley Smith, Lewis Robling, Matthew Jones, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Joe Bedford, Darren Waters, Toby Faletau, Tom Brown, Danny Lydiate (c), Lewis Evans, Jevon Groves, Rob Sidoli, Adam Jones, Nathan Buck, Nathan Williams, Dan Way, Phil Price, Lloyd Burns, Steve Jones, Rhys Buckley.
Players unavailable through injury:
Tom Willis (thumb);
Ben Castle (back);
Luke Charteris (wrist);
Scott Morgan (shoulder);
Andrew Coombs (shoulder);
Mike Poole (knee);
Pat Leach (cheekbone);
Jamie Smith (back);
Adam Hughes (ankle);
Gavin Thomas (knee)
