Ollie Griffiths will make his first appearance of the season as the Dragons take on last year's beaten finalists Vodacom Bulls at Rodney Parade on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm)
The one-cap Wales flanker is one of five changes made by Dai Flanagan as they go in search of a first win since the hammering of Zebre at the end of October.
Griffiths is one of two changes in the pack, as Sean Lonsdale packs down on the blindside. In the backs, Sam Davies starts at fly-half, partnering Lewis Jones at half-back in what will be the scrum-half's 100th appearance in the URC.
Centre Max Clark comes into the team, with Sio Tomkinson moving to wing, while the final change is a start at full back for Jordan Williams.
Argentina international scrum half Gonzalo Bertranou returns from injury to take his place among the replacements with prop Lloyd Fairbrother, lock Huw Taylor and fly half Will Reed.
Flanagan said: “We’re really looking forward to the challenge of facing the Bulls on home soil. Their performances have been good in recent weeks; they will just be disappointed with the outcome of games. They are coming here fully loaded because they need results like we need results.
“They have such talent in their squad. They are physical, they won’t take a step back, so we must match that.
“You look at the back three too, they can light up if we are not on our game and we don’t manage the game. They are made of tough stuff. We know what's coming in and we’ve got to be prepared.
“It's home, it's Friday night in Newport and it’s Rodney Parade. It’s a big test and one we need to meet head on.”
Dragons RFC: Jordan Williams, Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (c), Max Clark, Sio Tomkinson, Sam Davies, Lewis Jones; Aki Seiuli, Bradley Roberts, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale, Ollie Griffiths, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rob Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, Huw Taylor, Taine Basham, Ben Fry, Gonzalo Bertranou, Will Reed
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