LOCK Ashley Sweet has been challenged to show he belongs as a regional rugby player when he makes his Newport Gwent Dragons debut at Gloucester tomorrow.

The 27-year-old from Pontypool has been named in the XV for the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at Kingsholm and will make a long-awaited bow for the Dragons.

Sweet came through the academy at Rodney Parade and learnt his trade playing for Cross Keys but was released and went on to play for Cardiff in 2009/10 before signing for Ebbw Vale.

He was a leading figure for the Steelmen and his exploits in helping them win the Principality Premiership title last season earned a one-year deal with the Dragons.

However, he ruptured a pectoral muscle playing for Ebbw at Merthry in October and has endured a long wait for his regional bow.

“Ashley was unfortunate with his injury but has put a bit of size on after training really well,” said head coach Kingsley Jones. “He came through the British and Irish Cup games quite well and hopefully we’ll have a look at him.

“There’s no better place to show that you are a regional player than performing in a game like this.

“Ashley is a smart rugby player and brings similar qualities to Cory Hill, he runs the lineout well but physicality is a big step up from the Premiership rugby.

“I want to see him win those collisions, which is a challenge because it’s a different level and you don’t get away with tackling chest high in professional leagues.

“The speed of the game is a step up as well and Ashley needs to get up and go, get up and go all the time. That’s something he needs to learn quickly but he is a very bright rugby player.”

Sweet is joined in the squad by Bedwas back row forward Robson Blake, who will make a third cameo off the bench of the tournament, but the 21 other players are regional regulars.

Jack Dixon returns to partner Tyler Morgan in midfield while Charlie Davies gets a first start at scrum-half since suffering a thumb injury against Enisei-STM in Russia in October.

There are six changes to the pack that started in the 18-6 defeat to Newcastle last week with lock Sweet, props Sam Hobbs and Lloyd Fairbrother, hooker Rhys Thomas, flanker James Thomas and number eight Nick Crosswell getting the nod.

Gloucester include two Welshmen, Mat Protheroe at full-back and Dan Thomas at flanker.

Gloucester: M Protheroe, D Halaifonua, H Trinder, E Creed, T Hudson, L Evans, C Braley (captain), C Orr, M Matu'u, S Ma'afu, J Batley, T Denton, S Kalamafoni, D Thomas, F Clarke. Replacements: D Dawidiuk, Y Thomas, J McNulty, J Latta, C Beckett, B Vellacott, H Purdy, W Safe.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, T Morgan, J Dixon, T Prydie, D Jones, C Davies, S Hobbs, R Thomas (captain), L Fairbrother, M Screech, A Sweet, J Thomas, N Cudd, N Crosswell. Replacements: R Buckley, T Davies, C Mitchell, R Landman, R Blake, T Knoyle, A O'Brien, S Beard.

Referee: Rhys Thomas (Wales)