NEWPORT Gwent Dragons flanker James Benjamin is set to return from a fractured leg in the British and Irish Cup clash with Yorkshire Carnegie on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

The 22-year-old from Rogerstone has been out for three months since suffering the blow playing for Bedwas in their excellent win at Principality Premiership leaders Merthyr in September.

Benjamin will line up at openside to provide some regional experience for the Dragons Premiership Select XV in their trip to Pontefract RFC to face the English Championship high-flyers in the cross-border competition.

He will hope to put in a display to give a nudge to Dragons boss Kingsley Jones ahead of a hectic period that sees the seniors take on Worcester in a European double-header, Cardiff Blues, the Ospreys and Treviso.

Coach James Chapron said: “He’s only 22 but when in a group of 19 and 20-year-olds that’s experienced! ‘Jumbo’ has got good leadership qualities, is confident in his own ability and should give us some direction and assuredness.”

Benjamin, who has made 26 regional appearances, will be joined in the side by former Wales tighthead Craig Mitchell, who is on the comeback trail from an Achilles problem.

Bedwas forward Robson Blake, who has been given a professional deal by the Dragons thanks to his promising Premiership performances, will join Benjamin in the back row.

The strong-running tree surgeon made his regional debut against Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and two other players who featured at Welford Road, lock Joe Davies and teenage fly-half Arwel Robson, will head to Yorkshire.

Full-back Will Talbot-Davies, 19, is out until the end of January after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb so Cross Keys’ Josh Prosser is poised to wear 15.

Back rower Andrew Waite of Bedwas and Newport pair Elliot Frewen and John Lavender, wing and loosehead respectively, will be involved.

Dragons flanker Josh Skinner is out with a broken hand while his Keys back row teammate Ieuan Jones is sidelined by an ankle injury.

Lock Scott Andrews is cup-tied after going on loan to Ealing and featuring for the Trailfinders in their British and Irish Cup success against Yorkshire Carnegie, who used to be Leeds.

The Dragons are up against it in their bid for the quarter-finals after having to settle for a four-try bonus in defeat at Bedford in round one and throwing away a strong position when edged out 28-27 by Ealing at Pandy Park.

Nonetheless, academy boss Chapron believes the tournament will be invaluable for both the region’s youngsters and Premiership hopefuls, regardless of whether they can make the last eight.

“The rugby in this competition is highly competitive and a step up from the Premiership, helping bridge that gap (to regional rugby), but it’s about more than that,” he said.

“With an overnight stay and hanging around in a hotel this weekend, they will experience the sort of things that professionals have to do before they go and perform.

“It’s a chance to test ourselves and gain experience and it’s a great avenue for younger players learning their trade and those in the Premiership with aspirations of going higher.

“Ashley Sweet earned a Dragons contract by performing well last year and Robson Blake has already benefited this season.”

Carnegie are second in the Championship table behind London Irish with 10 wins from 11 games. They lost 51-35 to Ealing and drubbed Bedford 52-28 in the BIC.