Centre Harri Ackerman makes his first appearance of the season as Dragons RFC face Section Paloise in Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3.15pm).
Ackerman returns from the serious leg injury he sustained last March as Interim Head Coach Filo Tiatia makes seven changes to the starting line-up for the Pool 2 encounter.
Former Wales Under-20s captain Ackerman is paired with the recalled Joe Westwood in midfield while scrum half Che Hope starts on home soil.
Wales international Elliot Dee is back up front with Chris Coleman packing down alongside him at tighthead prop.
Lock Barny Langton-Cryer will make his first ever start for Dragons, alongside Joe Davies in the second row.
The final change is call-up for impressive young back row forward George Young for his first appearance of this campaign, with Taine Basham moving to Number Eight.
Filo Tiatia said: “Section Paloise are a good side with great depth to the squad.
“They have a power game with strong athletes across the board from their back row, midfield and an athletic back three. They are a threat.
“We’ve watched a lot of their games, reviewed them, and they are going to be a good contest. There are a few players we need to stop and it is a challenge and fixture we are all really looking forward to.”
Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser, Angus O’Brien (c), Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Barny Langton-Cryer, Shane Lewis-Hughes, George Young, Taine Basham
Replacements: James Benjamin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Morgan Lloyd, Lloyd Evans, Ewan Rosser
Unavailable (10): Huw Anderson (leg), Ben Carter (knee), Steve Cummins (knock), Rhodri Jones (knee), Harri Keddie (groin), Josh Reynolds (chest), Matthew Screech (knock), Luke Yendle (knee), Rhodri Williams (knee), Ryan Woodman (ankle)
Click HERE to buy tickets for the European clash with Section Paloise online - or call the Ticket Office team on 01633 670 690 during office hours.
They have a power game with strong athletes across the board from their back row, midfield and an athletic back three. They are a threat...
