Head Coach Dai Flanagan has backed young back row Ryan Woodman to grasp his first start with both hands as the Wales Under-20s captain prepares to face league champions Munster Rugby.
The Men of Gwent are back in BKT United Rugby Championship this evening as they tackle Munster at Musgrave Park (kick-off 5.15pm).
Dragons are without 16 senior players this weekend, due to a combination of international call-ups and injury.
But that means opportunity knocks for several young players such as Woodman, and Flanagan is keen to see how they perform in Ireland.
“We need to freshen the group up. It's a six-day turnaround after two physical games and it's a great opportunity for us,” he said.
“Ryan Woodman is a future international six in our eyes.
“I've been very vocal that I like a lineout forward at six. The fact that we have a lineout forward like Ryan who can play rugby is great because he can manage wide channels for us and be good in space.
“He’s also very athletic and I think he's a six going forward.
“We are looking forward to seeing players like Ryan, who is back now available for selection, and George Young, who is back fit and who did well for us in pre-season.
“Ewan Rosser has ripped it up for Pontypool this season and he is available if we need to dive into that area for the back three. There are some young players people can get excited to see.
“It’s important we rotate the squad and we will have people like Aneurin Owen back in the 23 and he can do something different.”
We need to freshen the group up... It's a six-day turnaround after two physical games and it's a great opportunity for us...
