WALES centre Tyler Morgan returns for Newport Gwent Dragons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup opener against Brive at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 7.30pm).

The 21-year-old, who will hope to be included in Rob Howley’s squad for the autumn internationals next Tuesday, returns to partner Adam Warren in midfield and is one of six changes to the side that was pipped 31-27 by the Scarlets in the Guinness Pro12 last Saturday.

Full-back Carl Meyer and wing Ashton Hewitt return behind a pack that includes loosehead Thomas Davies, lock Rynard Landman and blindside James Thomas, with captain Lewis Evans shifting across to openside flanker.

Prop Phil Price, who underwent shoulder surgery at the end of an excellent 2015/16 campaign, is named among the replacements after proving his fitness with Bedwas in the Principality Premiership last weekend.

Brive include regular captain Petrus Hauman at number eight and former France centre Arnaud Mignardi while former Scarlets lock Johan Synman starts in a beefy pack. USA speedster Taku Ngwenya is on the bench.

Ten of the 23 featured in their narrow and controversial 27-25 loss at Bordeaux-Begles last weekend. 

Brive leave out France prop Lucas Pointud, who will sign for Toulouse next year, and scrum-half Teddy Iribaren, who is bound for Racing 92 along with Fijian back row forwards Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Sisa Koyamaibole.

They feature four South Africans, two Georgians (one of whom is livewire scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze, who is 20 tomorrow), a pair of Fijians, one Aussie, a New Zealander and Eagles winger Ngwenya.

Brive have rung the changes but remain a formidable side and Dragons forwards coach Ceri Jones wants his side to show the same calmness in attack that saw them cross for four tries in Llanelli.

“We have lots of people in the squad who can break the line and I think we are getting a little bit more patient in our attack,” said the former prop, who twice won the Challenge Cup with Harlequins.

“We are keeping the ball better whereas two or three weeks ago we were trying the miracle ball and turning the ball over.

“With Adam Warren’s (second) try we were more patient, we went through the phases and then Angus O’Brien managed to put a good pass in. The build-up was much more pleasing.”

“We are building and getting better,” he continued. “Against Munster we could have sneaked it at the end whereas if we’d won against the Scarlets I don’t think anyone could’ve said we stole it. That shows we are going in the right direction.”

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, T Morgan, A Warren, H Amos, N Macleod, C Davies, T Davies, R Buckley, B Harris, C Hill, R Landman, J Thomas, L Evans (captain), E Jackson. Replacements: D Harris, P Price, C Mitchell, M Screech, H Keddie, S Pretorius, A O’Brien, S Beard.

Brive: B Lapeyre, M Radikedike, A Mignardi, C Tuatara Morrison, G Namy, T Laranjeira, V Lobzhanidze, V Devisme, G Ribes, D Jourdain, W Steenkamp, J Snyman, W Whetton, F Sanconnie, P Hauman (captain). Replacements: F Da Ros, D Lavergne, S Bekoshvili, K Uys, Narisia, J-B Pejoine, T Ngwenya, S Galala.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys