NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are boosted by the return of three experienced backs for their crunch Guinness Pro12 clash with Treviso on Sunday.

Full-back Lee Byrne, fly-half Jason Tovey and centre Ashley Smith will all start at Rodney Parade after passing fitness tests while former Wales international Andy Powell returns to the starting XV at blindside flanker.

Scrum-half Jonathan Evans, hooker Elliot Dee and tighthead Dan Way also get the nod while lock/back row James Thomas will look to take his impressive form with Bedwas onto the regional stage after being named among the replacements.

The Dragons have suffered defeats to Connacht, the Ospreys and Glasgow, bagging losing bonus points against their Irish and Welsh opponents, while Treviso are yet to get off the mark after heavy defeats to the Ospreys, Munster and the Scarlets.

The Rodney Parade region were down to the bare bones in the backs against Glasgow last weekend but welcome back Byrne (shoulder), Smith (hamstring) and Tovey (calf) and their strength in the back three enables them to use Aled Brew as an impact sub.

Dragons: L Byrne (captain), T Prydie, B John, A Smith, H Amos, J Tovey, J Evans, B Stankovich, E Dee, D Way, C Hill, R Landman, A Powell, N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: R Thomas, H Gustafson, L Fairbrother, J Thomas, L Evans, L Jones, A O’Brien, A Brew.

Treviso: J Hayward, A Pratichetti, M Campagnaro, L Morisi, L Nitoglia, J Carlisle, J Ambrosini, M Zanusso, D Giazzon, R Harden, A Pavanello (captain), M Fuser, S Favaro, M Lazzaroni, M Luamanu. Replacements: A Kudin, M Muccignat, R Acosta, G Maistri, L Auva’a, F Minto, A Sgarbi, E Gori.