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Dragons give first start to Wales U20s star

Newport Gwent Dragons Head Coach, Kingsley Jones has given Wales U20s star Harri Keddie his first start for the Welsh Region this Saturday when they take on Russian team Enisei-STM, KO 13:00.

Katie Vizard | 21/10/2016
 

The 20-year-old was part of the Wales U20s squad that won the Six Nations Grand Slam last season. Keddie is one of 9 personnel changes and one positional change that Jones has made to the side that beat CA-Brive at Rodney Parade last weekend.

Head Coach, Kingsley Jones commented: “He (Keddie) is growing in confidence," he said. "His physicality at his age group was there for all to see and he is bringing that now at this level. Harri has been patient and taken his opportunities.

"I feel this is the time for him to start; he is not going to go there and care about the environment, he will just want to show what he can do.”

Jones continued: "It's going to be a really strong team, experienced and mentally tough.

"It's a mental challenge and we have to do a professional job. This is critical. It's an important opportunity to get one foot in the door and put a marker down in the group.

The back three has two changes made to it as wings Pat Howard and Adam Warren join fullback Carl Meyer who retains his position. The centre partnership is all change as Sam Beard and Jack Dixon are named. The fly-half position sees youngster Angus O’Brien get the nod as he joins scum-half Charlie Davies in the half-backs. 

The front row has two changes as hooker Rhys Buckley is joined by props Phil Price and Lloyd Fairbrother. The second row sees Nick Crosswell, named as Captain alongside lock Rynard Landman, with a new look back row which includes flankers James Thomas, Nic Cudd and number 8 Harri Keddie.

The replacements bench sees newly signed scrum half Tavis Knoyle join Darran Harris, Thomas Davies, Craig Mitchell, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Geraint Rhys Jones and Ashton Hewitt.

Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Enisei-STM
15 Carl Meyer, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Adam Warren, 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Charlie Davies; 1 Phil Price, 2 Rhys Buckley, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 4 Nick Crosswell (c), 5 Rynard Landman, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Harrison Keddie.

Replacements: Darran Harris, Thomas Davies, Craig Mitchell, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Tavis Knoyle, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ashton Hewitt.
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