Full back Jordan Williams makes a welcome return as Dragons face Connacht in a rearranged Guinness PRO14 at Rodney Parade on Friday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
Williams is one of eight changes made by Director of Dragons Rugby, Dean Ryan, to the line-up that faced Ospreys in the region’s last league game in early January.
Jack Dixon returns to partner Jamie Roberts in midfield while captain Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies combine at half back.
Prop Lloyd Fairbrother plays up front where he joins forces with Richard Hibbard, who makes his 50th appearance for Dragons.
A new-look second row pairing sees Ben Carter and Joe Maksymiw – who will line-up against his former club – play together. Matthew Screech misses out through injury.
The final change is return for fit-again flanker Ben Fry. Harrison Keddie moves to the Number Eight position.
Prop Greg Bateman returns among the replacements alongside Ellis Shipp, Chris Coleman and Aneurin Owen while scrum half Luke Baldwin could also make his first appearance of the season.
“Connacht are a really underrated side,” said Ryan. “They have a couple of guys who are quite influential that go off with Ireland, but they are pretty robust throughout the entire season.
“They are built for being competitive week in and week out - I see a lot of things that we want us to be in them.
“Connacht have been used to being that 'other' Irish side for some time and like to challenge that perception. I do enjoy watching them.
“They have a lot of players that don't necessarily hit the radar of international level and they make them better, which is a good test of an environment.“
Dragons (v Connacht): Jordan Williams, Owen Jenkins, Jack Dixon, Jamie Roberts, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Joe Maksymiw, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Harrison Keddie
Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Greg Bateman, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Lewis Evans, Luke Baldwin, Josh Lewis, Aneurin Owen
Connacht are a really underrated side... They have a couple of guys who are quite influential that go off with Ireland, but they are pretty robust throughout the entire season...
