Head Coach Dai Flanagan is ready to ring the changes when Dragons RFC face Scarlets in a New Year’s Day derby clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 5.15pm).
The Men of Gwent launch 2024 with a huge Welsh derby against the West Walians on home soil in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Dragons are looking to bounce back from the Boxing Day defeat to Cardiff Rugby.
And following the manner of that painful defeat, Flanagan has hinted that he is ready to change the line-up and gives others the chance to impress.
“There will be mass change. I need to break the chain,” said Flanagan.
“Whenever you get a starting shirt, no matter what club you are at, you play well to keep that shirt. That will be the message this weekend.
“It was an off day, but they happen every year. My job is to break that cycle up,” added Flanagan.
“We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect things to change.
“If I stuck with same 23, I’m sure we’d get a reaction and do okay. But it is not about that. It is about breaking up that pattern that has become Gwent rugby.
“I have to make some serious decisions and we must break the pattern.”
Meanwhile, Steff Hughes is ruled out of the game with concussion, but Ollie Griffiths is back in contention ahead of the match day squad announcement on Saturday lunchtime.
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