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Dee to captain Dragons on Euro trip

Hooker Elliot Dee will captain the side as Dragons launch the new European Challenge Cup season with an away clash at Romanian outfit Timisoara Saracens on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 12.30pm BST).

Head Coach Bernard Jackman makes six changes to the team that faced Cardiff Blues last time out as he sends a strong squad to Romania for the Pool 1 opener. 

Full back Zane Kirchner, back from a loan spell at Bristol Bears, comes into the back line alongside centre Tyler Morgan and scrum half Tavis Knoyle. 

Adam Warren moves to the wing with Jared Rosser ruled out of the European date with concussion.

Three changes in the pack see Matthew Screech and Lewis Evans, who will make his 29thappearance for Dragons in Europe, called into the second row. Brandon Nansen misses the game with illness.

The final change sees Nic Cudd named at openside flanker, with Ollie Griffiths moving across the back row to blindside flanker.

Rhys Lawrence, Huw Taylor, Rhodri Davies and Will Talbot-Davies are named among the replacements.

Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt, Arwel Robson and Gavin Henson are among those to miss the game through injury.

“We have to go after the game early,” said Jackman. “The footage we have seen of them (Timisoara Saracens)shows they are dominating their domestic competition.

“We saw a big improvement in our attack against Cardiff Blues and we want to be ambitious and go after the scores early, get into our shape and play.

“We respect them massively and we know it will be difficult, but we will go high tempo for the full game. Hopefully we get the tries we need.

“We are in a tough group, alongside Northampton Saints and Clermont, so we need to get off to a good start in Romania.”

Dragons (v Timisoara Saracens): Zane Kirchner, Dafydd Howells, Tyler Morgan, Jarryd Sage, Adam Warren, Josh Lewis, Tavis Knoyle; Brok Harris, Elliot Dee (c), Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Ollie Griffiths, Nic Cudd, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Aaron Jarvis, Lewis Fairbrother, Cory Hill, Huw Taylor, Rhodri Davies, Jordan Williams, Will Talbot-Davies 

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