Jacob Botica will make his first start for Dragons after being named at full back for the European Challenge Cup clash with Castres Olympique on Saturday (kick-off 2pm UK time).
Botica is handed the 15 jersey for the big Pool 1 showdown at Stade Pierre-Fabre in France.
Dean Ryan, Director of Dragons Rugby, makes a total of five changes for the clash that will see Dragons look to maintain top spot going into the final round of pool games.
Wales international Cory Hill – who missed the home win over Ospreys last weekend with illness – returns in the back row as he slots into the six jersey and also captains the team.
The other change to the pack is a call-up for prop Lloyd Fairbrother at loosehead prop, with Brok Harris suspended for the game.
Adam Warren, the last action try hero last time out in the Welsh derby, comes into the centre to partner Tom Griffiths while Tavis Knoyle starts at scrum half.
Props Josh Reynolds and Chris Coleman, hooker Ellis Shipp, centre Jack Dixon and utility back Carwyn Penny are named among the replacements.
Forwards Coach Ceri Jones said: “We are top of the pool, but we have two huge games coming up. It’s a very important couple of weeks for us.
“It is a big game in Castres, a huge challenge, but one we think we can get something from.
“We want to keep the momentum going from the festive derby games. We have two European games and then a break for the boys or, for some of them, time away in international camp.
“We’ve built a positive environment and the players are buying into that,” he added.
“It’s exciting for them to be challenging on more than one front this season.
“Over the festive period we showed we can be competitive. We know we’ve got huge strides to make yet, we’re not the finished article, but we are moving forward and this is another chance to show that.”
Dragons (v Castres Olympique): Jacob Botica, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Tom Griffiths, Rio Dyer, Sam Davies, Tavis Knoyle; Lloyd Fairbrother, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill (c), Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Josh Reynolds, Chris Coleman, Max Williams, Harrison Keddie, Rhodri Williams, Jack Dixon, Carwyn Penny
We are top of the pool, but we have two huge games coming up... It’s a very important couple of weeks for us...
