Gifted youngster Will Reed has been handed the No. 10 jersey for the Dragons’ United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks at Rodney Parade on Saturday evening (7.35pm kick-off) as they look to build on last week’s landmark victory over Munster.
With summer signing JJ Hanrahan having taken a knock in training to join Sam Davies on the injury list, it’s the 20-year-old Reed who will be calling the shots from fly-half against the South Africans from Durban.
A product of Cwmbran RFC, he impressed with some assured displays in Welsh derbies towards the end of last season and now makes his first appearance of the new campaign.
There are a couple of other changes from the side that beat Munster 23-17, a game where the now sidelined Hanrahan kicked 18 points against his former team.
Ben Carter is recalled to partner fellow Welsh international Will Rowlands in the second row, which sees the versatile George Nott move to the blindside flank in place of Sean Lonsdale. Then, at hooker, the 41-cap Elliot Dee takes over from another Wales squad hopeful Bradley Roberts for a meeting with a Sharks team who were pushed hard by Zebre in round one before ultimately winning 42-37 out in Parma.
On the fitness front, tighthead prop Leon Brown (neck), centre Aneurin Owen (hamstring), loosehead Rhodri Jones (calf) and back-rowers Harri Keddie (ankle) and Ollie Griffiths (back) are unavailable, along with fly-halves Davies (knee) and Hanrahan.
Head coach Dai Flanagan remains in charge of all rugby matters, with Dean Ryan absent amid reports that the former England international is leaving his role as director of rugby.
Flanagan said: “Sharks will be physical and there is a lot of quality in their side. We need to make sure we match the physicality they bring and stay true to ourselves.
“It was a big result and performance by us against Munster last time out. Now we must replicate it, match it and ensure we get better week by week. We need to step forward as a squad again and if we stay true to ourselves, work hard, we’ll be in this fight together.”
Meanwhile, the Dragons have announced that lock Huw Taylor and back row Lennon Greggains are set for loan spells in the English Championship. Taylor has moved to Goldington Road to link up with Bedford, while Greggains is off to Hartpury RFC, joining hooker Ellis Shipp.
Dragons: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, Sio Tomkinson, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Aki Seiuli, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (capt), George Nott, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Rob Evans, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Aaron Wainwright, Lewis Jones, Max Clark, Jordan Williams.
Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Werner Kok, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Ben Tapuai, Thaakir Abrahams; Boeta Chamerlain, Grant Williams; Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit (capt), Justin Basson, Reniel Hugo, James Venter, Dylan Richardson, Phepsi Buthelezi.
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Dian Bleuler, Carlu Sadie, Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Cameron Wright, Marnus Potgieter, Anthony Volmink.
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