Dragons’ Head Coach Kingsley Jones has made five changes to the team that beat Worcester Warriors in the European Rugby Challenge Cup last weekend at Rodney Parade. These changes include the return of Welsh Internationals Cory Hill and Tyler Morgan to the starting XV.
Tom Prydie moves back to the fullback position after covering wing last weekend and this sees the return of Pat Howard as he joins fellow winger Ashton Hewitt in the back three. The centre partnership sees Tyler Morgan start alongside Adam Warren, with fly-half Angus O’Brien and last week’s Man of the Match Tavis Knoyle retaining their positions.
The front row sees hooker Thomas Rhys Thomas return, after an illness kept him out last week, and he joins props Sam Hobbs and Lloyd Fairbrother. The second row has one change made to it as Cory Hill joins Rynard Landman who recently signed an extension with the Welsh Region. The back row sees skipper Lewis Evans move to flanker as Ed Jackson returns to number 8, with Ollie Griffiths included in the back row too.
The replacements bench sees Elliot Dee, Thomas Davies, Brok Harris, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Sarel Pretorius, Dorian Jones and Sam Beard all named.
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Cardiff Blues
15 Tom Prydie, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 4 Cory Hill, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Lewis Evans (c), 7 Ollie Griffiths, 8 Ed Jackson.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Thomas Davies, Brok Harris, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Sarel Pretorius, Dorian Jones, Sam Beard.
Tickets are still available for the Dragons second derby fixture against the Ospreys on New Year’s Day, with some areas sold out already. To buy tickets call 01633 674990 or click here.
