The young Dragons side includes seven players who made their senior or PRO14 debuts last year as well as six Wales Under-20 selections from last season’s Six Nations competition and the Under 20 World Cup earlier this summer.
Tavis Knoyle is included amongst the replacements for the Dragons, in a fixture when a number of combinations are expected to be tested ahead of the new Celtic Cup competition, which will pit the Men of Gwent against Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade on 7 September.
Jon Westwood, Director of Rugby for the young Dragons outfit, said, “It’s a great opportunity for the youngsters to get a run out ahead of the new Celtic Cup competition, plus there’s a couple of senior players dropping down for game time as well. Most notably, James Thomas and Tavis Knoyle after their respective injuries and Joe Davies comes in too.
“The Celtic Cup is a great way for youngsters to find that level between Premiership and the regional games. We are really looking to engage our youth in it, perhaps more than other teams, as it’s a huge opportunity for them. Without doubt we’ll need some help from the senior squad when we come up against the Irish provinces.
“With some of the opportunities they had, last year was great for their development in getting far more game time than we may have wanted really, this is the next step for them and is a major opportunity for them to shine in terms of progress into the first team squad.”
North Walians RGC are continuing their build up to the new Premiership season having defeated Caldy last week. Oscar Crowe and Matt Buchanan from their Academy are named on the bench, with lock Crowe from Llandudno and Buchanan a Centre from Bethesda.
Admission is free for all at Ystrad Mynach, for the 2.30pm kick off.
Dragons: Dai Richards, Duan Thomas, Connor Edwards, Jarryd Sage, Deon Smith, Will Kelly, Dafydd Buckland, Josh Reynolds, Will Griffiths, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Max Williams, James Thomas, Lennon Greggains, Taine Basham
Replacements: TBC
RGC: D. Jones, S. Jones, R Williams, D. Cross, I. Evans, B. McBryde, E. Jones, J. Simpson, E. Yardley, S. Wainwright, B. Jones, R. Williams, I. Rowlands, W. Bryan, T. Grey
Replacements: J.Scott, G. Roberts, C. Reynolds. D. Owen, O. Crowe, N. Butterworth, M. Buchannan, B. Rae, W. Sanderson, C. Davies
