CORY Hill is determined to grasp his chance as Rynard Landman’s deputy when he lines up for Newport Gwent Dragons at Zebre on Sunday.

The 23-year-old will make his first appearance since the loss to Exeter at the start of the month when he slots in at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

He gets a chance to impress because Landman has been banned for six weeks after his red card for elbowing Connacht’s Jack Carty in the head last weekend.

The South African lock, who has been deputising as captain for Lee Byrne, will not play again until April 19 - ruling him out of the Dragons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues on April 4.

That presents an opportunity for Hill, who has had to bide his time while Coombs and Landman have formed a formidable second row partnership.

“It’s always hard to not be selected but you just have to be ready for when your time comes,” said the former Cardiff Blues, Pontypridd and Moseley lock.

“Lyn (Jones, director of rugby) said to be patient and hopefully in the next few weeks I can take my chances.”

He continued: “We know that Zebre will have a big scrum and driving lineout so we’ve got to front up to them there. They have a big, physical pack, you know what’s coming for you so just have to switch the mind on and get the job done.”

The Dragons have never lost to Zebre but relied on an opportunistic Jevon Groves try and Jason Tovey conversion for a share of the spoils in a 25-25 draw last year.

The Italians prop up the table and have changed their management team after a poor run of form but Jones expects a stern challenge.

“I like Zebre, I think they are positive and play without fear,” he said. “(Former New Zealand scrum-half) Brendan Leonard has been a huge influence for them and they’ve caused teams a lot of bother this year.

“They are bottom of the league at the moment but can be a tough nut to crack. They’ve effective driving maul and scrummage, as you’d expect from an Italian side, and someone like Leonard is a catalyst.”

Jones makes three changes to the side that showed plenty of spirit to emerge with a bonus point from their 30-25 loss to Connacht at Rodney Parade despite playing for over an hour with 14 men.

Fullback Geraint Rhys Jones returns to the starting XV and replaces Jason Tovey who is unavailable due to a sprained ankle he sustained against Connacht, after landing awkwardly during the Guinness PRO12 match. Jones is joined in the back three by international wings Tom Prydie and Hallam Amos. The centre pairing of Jack Dixon and Ashley Smith remains the same as last week after impressing coaches, and they are joined in the backs by fly-half Dorian Jones and scrum-half Jonathan Evans who both retain their places.

The experienced front row remains unchanged as props Boris Stankovich and Brok Harris join hooker and this weekend's captain T. Rhys Thomas. After making his 100th appearance for the Men of Gwent last weekend off the bench, Ian Gough moves into the starting XV and is joined in the second row by 23-year-old Hill. The back row from last weekend's clash against Connacht consists of flankers James Thomas and Nic Cudd who join number 8 New Zealander Nick Crosswell.

The replacements bench has three changes made to it as young guns Matthew Screech, Luc Jones and Ashton Hewitt join Rhys Buckley, Lloyd Fairbrother, Dan Way, James Benjamin and Matthew Pewtner.

Team: Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie, Jack Dixon, Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Evans; Boris Stankovich, T. Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Ian Gough, Cory Hill, James Thomas, Nic Cudd, Nick Crosswell.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Lloyd Fairbrother, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, James Benjamin, Luc Jones, Matthew Pewtner, Ashton Hewitt.