NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have tinkered with their tight five for their New Year’s Day derby with the star-studded Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
Wales lock Cory Hill is retained from the side that lost 27-16 to Cardiff Blues in the capital on Boxing Day but head coach Kingsley Jones rotates those around him.
Nick Crosswell comes into the second row for Rynard Landman while there is a new front row of Phil Price, Elliot Dee and Brok Harris.
The back row is unchanged despite the swift turnaround while there are two changes in the three-quarters with centre Sam Beard and full-back Carl Meyer getting the nod.
The Dragons, who have their team run tomorrow, name fly-half Dorian Jones among the replacements after he returned from a groin injury for Ebbw Vale at Bedwas in the Premiership.
The Ospreys have an even shorter turnaround from their derby win against the Scarlets on Tuesday but retain Wales stars Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Sam Davies.
There is no place for speedster Keelan Giles while the visitors – who include Dan Evans on the wing and his fellow former Dragon Sam Parry among their replacements – have opted for six forwards on their bench.
Dragons: C Meyer, P Howard, T Morgan, S Beard, A Hewitt, A O’Brien, T Knoyle, P Price, E Dee, B Harris, N Crosswell, C Hill, L Evans (captain), O Griffiths, E Jackson. Replacements: R Buckley, S Hobbs, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Landman, S Pretorius, D Jones, A Warren
Ospreys: S Davies, D Howells, K Fonotia, J Matavesi, D Evans, D Biggar, T Habberfield, P James, S Baldwin, M Fia, L Ashley, AW Jones (captain), O Cracknell, J Tipuric, J King. Replacements: S Parry, N Smith, R Jones, R Thornton, D Baker, S Underhill, B Leonard, H Dirksen.
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel