Ollie Griffiths will make his 100th appearance for Dragons RFC as the Men of Gwent kick-off the new BKT United Rugby Championship season against Edinburgh Rugby at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3.05pm).
Back row Griffiths brings up a century of appearances – becoming only the 34th player to achieve the feat – as Dai Flanagan’s men look to make a winning start to the new campaign.
Head Coach Flanagan hands full club debuts to prop Rodrigo Martinez, wing Corey Baldwin and full back Cai Evans for the home encounter.
Centre Steff Hughes captains the team from inside centre, where he joins forces with Sio Tomkinson.
Flanagan said: “We’re excited to get started on home soil. We have four of our first five at home and we’re aware of the opportunity that gives us.
“The BKT United Rugby Championship is a tough league, and you need to win your home games. That’s what we're targeting - making Rodney Parade is a tough place to come.
“We were close in a lot of games last year and didn’t get a result. That's why pre-season has been very pleasing because we have managed to pull home late on in both games.
“Edinburgh play an expansive brand of rugby, with quick taps and energy. They’ve also got a strong driving lineout with the new coach Sean Everitt there, so they have a balanced game. It’s important we cover all bases.”
Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Corey Baldwin, Sio Tomkinson, Steff Hughes (c), Jared Rosser, Angus O’Brien, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, George Nott, Harri Keddie, Ollie Griffiths
Replacements: James Benjamin, Rhodri Jones, Luke Yendle, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Jack Dixon
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