Skipper Lee Byrne will make his debut alongside Boris Stankovich, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman and Andy Powell.
The back three is a trio of internationals as Lee Byrne is named as fullback with both Tom Prydie and recently returned Dragon Aled Brew on the wing. Jones has appointed a fresh look centre pairing with Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan. The Newport Gwent Dragons highest points scorer Jason Tovey retains the number 10 jersey as Jonathan Evans is named as scrum-half.
Jones carries on with his mix of youth and experience in the front row as Boris Stankovich is named as loosehead prop, Elliot Dee as hooker and Lloyd Fairbrother as tight head prop. Last years skipper Andrew Coombs is named in the second row along with south African lock Rynard Landman. The back row contains flankers Lewis Evans and Nic Cudd alongside British and Irish lion Andy Powell at number 8.
The replacement bench contains T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Ian Gough, Taulupe Faletau, Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones and also gives academy player Barney Nightingale, who impressed during pre-season, the chance to pull on the Dragons jersey.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Connacht
Lee Byrne (c), Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Jonathan Evans; Boris Stankovich, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Andy Powell.
Replacements
T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Ian Gough, Taulupe Faletau, Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones, Barney Nightingale.
