The Dragons hand a first start of the season to promising youngster David Richards as they head into the United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre at Rodney Parade on Saturday (5.15pm).
The Newport-based club make nine changes, one of them positional, from the starting line-up that took the field against the Ospreys.
Richards comes in on the right wing, with Angus O’Brien returning at full-back, Max Clark starting in the centre and Rhodri Williams featuring at scrum-half, while Sam Davies moves from No. 10 to fly-half.
Up front, Aki Seiuli and Elliot Dee pack down in the front row and Joe Davies and Sean Lonsdale take over at lock.
Playing at full-back, Richards was named man of the match for Newport in last season’s Welsh Cup final after an outstanding display, with the Dragons having hopes that he’ll be able to prosper on the senior scene in the seasons ahead.
This weekend’s opposition may be bottom of the table, but, missing players through international call-ups and injuries, the Dragons are taking nothing for granted.
“You underestimate Zebre at your peril,” said defence Coach Simon Cross. “They will play more than any side we have played against so far this year.
“They are incredibly dangerous with ball in hand, but we can cause them problems if we get our bits right.
“We can turn the ball over in high field position and give a quality attack the chance to put some points on the board.
“We know what we must do defensively because Zebre are lethal from all over the field with an incredibly dangerous back three. It’s a game we are all looking forward to.”
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, David Richards, Steff Hughes, Max Clark, Jared Rosser, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams; Aki Seiuli, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie (c), Ross Moriarty
Replacements: James Benjamin, Rob Evans, Chris Coleman, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Gonzalo Bertranou, JJ Hanrahan, Aneurin Owen.
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