Supporters will witness a blend of youth and experience, at the Centre of Sporting Excellence – Ystrad Mynach, in the squad that will take on the English outfit.
Fullback Geraint Rhys Jones gets the nod alongside wingers George Gasson and Aled Brew. A young centre partnership is named as Jack Dixon is joined by Barney Nightingale. Fly-half Angus O’Brien gets his first pre-season start and is joined in the half-backs by scrum-half Charlie Davies.
The front row sees props Keagan Bale and Shaun Knight get the nod alongside new signing, hooker Darran Harris. The second row sees Matthew Screech joined by newcomer Ashley Sweet and the back row sees the return of Wales U20s star Harrison Keddie, who is joined by James Benjamin and number 8 Ed Jackson.
After training within the Dragons squad throughout pre-season, Wales U20s star Harri Keddie commented; “Nobody wants to watch on a weekend after playing a part in training and we all want to leave a mark whenever we can so that we put our hands up for selection. I want to be seen as a real option for the coaches and to be involved in the squads on weekends, so Ealing is a good chance for all of us to set our stall out.
“We can set the tone and a big performance will put you in the shop window… so all of us are determined to give it our best shot on Saturday. It’s important to take any chances that come your way and after a good break I can’t wait to get out there.”
He continued; “It’s important to learn all the roles because you never know what can happen week to week. You have to be ready. This weekend I will be at 6 with Ed (Jackson) at 8 and I think that all of us in the back row will have to be versatile this season.”
The replacements bench sees a mixture of youth, talent and experience as Head Coach Kingsley Jones aims to give the remainder of the squad a run out before their final pre-season clash against hard hitting Exeter.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Ealing Trailfinders
15 Geraint Rhys Jones, 14 George Gasson, 13 Barney Nightingale, 12 Jack Dixon ©, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Charlie Davies; 1 Keagan Bale, 2 Rhys Buckley, 3 Shaun Knight, 4 Matthew Screech, 5 Ashley Sweet, 6 Harri Keddie, 7 James Benjamin, 8 Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Darran Harris, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, James Thomas, Luc Jones, Arwel Robson, Lloyd Lewis, Sam Hobbs, Henry Williams, Lloyd Phillips, Josh Skinner, Scott Andrews.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Tickets are still available for this match and supporters with season memberships can get into the match for FREE. Those with season memberships must ensure that they have claimed their free paper ticket as their membership cards will not work for this game. For more information or to buy tickets please click here or call 01633 674990.
Tickets will also be available to buy from reception at the Centre of Sporting Excellence on Saturday 20th August.
