Wales International Gavin Henson will make his first Dragons appearance in the Welsh Regions Guinness PRO14 opener against Leinster Rugby on Saturday afternoon, at Rodney Parade (KO 15:15).
Fellow Summer signing Zane Kirchner will also make his competitive debut for the Dragons having played in the pre-season friendlies.
Saturday’s match will mark the beginning of a new era for the Dragons as they make their mark at Rodney Parade on a new pitch, underneath a new head coach.
Former Leinster player Zane Kirchner will start at fullback and is joined in the back three by the talented Ashton Hewitt and Welsh International Hallam Amos. The centre partnership sees youngsters Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon given the nod whilst experienced fly-half Gavin Henson makes his first appearance in front of a home crowd; he is joined in the half-backs by Charlie Davies.
The front row sees Brok Harris and Leon Brown pack down next to Elliot Dee, whilst the second row sees the newly named Captain Cory Hill return alongside fellow lock Matthew Screech. Flankers James Thomas and Wales 7s star James Benjamin are named in the back row alongside number 8 Harrison Keddie.
Debutants Max Williams and Jared Rosser are named on bench alongside Rhys Buckley, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman, Tavis Knoyle and Angus O’Brien.
Dragons team to face Leinster
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Gavin Henson, 9 Charlie Davies; 1 Brok Harris, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Leon Brown, 4 Matthew Screech, 5 Cory Hill ©, 6 James Thomas, 7 James Benjamin, 8 Harri Keddie.
Replacements; Rhys Buckley, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman, Max Williams, Tavis Knoyle, Angus O’Brien, Jared Rosser.
Dunbar to make century in PRO14 opener
