He will start for Newport Gwent Dragons who take on Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade on Sunday 23rd February KO 14:30.
Director of rugby Lyn Jones has brought the experienced prop in, to cover the recent spate of injuries and illnesses that have taken over our pack. Bell who is currently head coach at Lydney RFC, has just started a new role at Chartwell Funding and wanted to take the time to thank everyone that has helped him on his return to rugby.
“I am over the moon to be coming back to play rugby after recently retiring. I am only two weeks into my new role at Chartwell so I am lucky and thankful that my boss has been so accommodating. They are keen to not stand in my way but at the same time know that I will be back at work.
“I also wanted to say thank you to Lydney RFC. I am head coach there and I do have a responsibility to them, so playing for the Dragons it may clash. But with the arrangement we have I am able to still coach the boys and I have a great team manager there in Colin Henderson who has been instrumental in that.”
The 39-year-old has joined Newport Gwent Dragons until the end of the season along with Bruce Douglas who is on loan from Bristol RFC. They are both included in this weekend’s squad to face Glasgow Warriors.
There have been six changes to the team that took on Leinster last week with two of these being positional. 26-year-old Rhys Jones gets his second start of the season for the Dragons as he takes on the role of fullback. He is joined in the back three alongside wingers Matthew Pewtner and Will Harries who both retain their places from the clash against Leinster. The centre pairing of Pat Leach and Ashley Smith also remains unchanged alongwith Jason Tovey as fly-half and Richie Rees as scrumhalf.
In the front row there is one change made as experienced Duncan Bell makes his first start for the Welsh region alongside hooker T. Rhys Thomas and prop Owen Evans. Dragons skipper Andrew Coombs returns to the fold after being released from the Wales team, he is partnered alongside Cory Hill in the second row. The back row takes on the form of Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd and Lewis Evans moves to number 8.
There have been five changes made to the bench as Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Bruce Douglas, Ieuan jones and Dorian Jones are all slotted in alongside Matthew Screech, Wayne Evans and Ross Wardle.
Dragons Team to face Glasgow Warriors
Rhys Jones, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Will Harries, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T. Rhys Thomas, Duncan Bell, Andrew Coombs ©, Cory Hill, Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.
Replacements:
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Bruce Douglas, Matthew Screech, Ieuan Jones, Wayne Evans, Dorian Jones, Ross Wardle.
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