WALES sevens international Ben Roach is poised to make his Dragons debut in the Guinness PRO14 clash against Munster on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm).

The 23-year-old flanker has been training with the Rodney Parade region and featured in the British & Irish Cup encounters against London Scottish and Jersey last month.

Roach is with the Dragons until the end of the season, fitting in his time in Ystrad Mynach with his international commitments in the World Rugby Sevens Series, and will make a first outing in Cork this weekend along with new boy James Sheekey.

Head coach Bernard Jackman has a raft of back row injuries with openside Nic Cudd out for most of the campaign with knee ligament damage and number eight/blindside Harri Keddie sidelined until the New Year after shoulder surgery.

Ollie Griffiths (jaw), Max Williams (shoulder) and Robson Blake (shoulder) are also out of action and Lewis Evans (pectoral muscle) and James Thomas (knee) came off in last week’s loss to the Ospreys in Swansea and are awaiting news of scans.

That leaves Jackman with James Benjamin as his sole senior option with Aaron Wainwright, 20, set for a fifth Dragons appearance at Musgrave Park.

Number eight Sheekey, who signed a one-year deal from Cardiff RFC last month, is likely to join them in the XV with Roach ready to add energy off the bench.

“It’s a good opportunity for them both after they’ve proved themselves on other stages,” said head of strength and conditioning Ryan Harris.

“They have stepped into the squad, been really positive in training and picked everything up along so they will hopefully have a positive impact.”

Roach’s sevens teammate Sam Cross made a big impression on Ospreys debut against Saracens in the Champions Cup a fortnight ago and was a shock selection in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the autumn.

The World Series starts in Dubai next month with the Commonwealth Games coming at the end of the season but Roach, who came through the ranks at Cardiff Blues and made five Anglo-Welsh Cup appearances for the Arms Park region, has the chance to shine in the full game with the Dragons.

“Ben is with the 7s but is also getting a 15s opportunity,” said Harris. “There have been a couple of players coming over from the 7s programme and they are obviously doing a really good job, as has been shown by recent selections.

“There are massive positives in terms of what 7s gives us in running volumes, intensity and the guys being durable enough to cope with that stress.

“Ben has good physical attributes in terms of speed and fitness, so fingers crossed he will do well for us at the weekend.”

The Dragons have a back row headache but received good news in the front row after Brok Harris limped off in Swansea.

The South African has been playing loosehead but needs to return to tighthead for coming weeks because Leon Brown is with Wales for the autumn Tests.

With Dan Suter (foot) and Christian Coleman (shoulder) absent, Harris is poised to share the duties at 3 with Lloyd Fairbrother and is set to get the green light for Munster after an ankle injury at the Liberty Stadium.