EVERY fit member of the Dragons squad should get the chance to impress new boss Dean Ryan when the region host the Scarlets at a Rodney Parade double-header in September.
The director of rugby was named as the replacement for Bernard Jackman in May and his first game is a tune-up for the Guinness PRO14 against the west Walians on Saturday, September 14.
The Dragons hosted the Scarlets in the last World Cup year, when they were beaten 29-20 in Newport, and this clash is the only friendly that has been announced with the hosts aiming to repeat their Judgement Day triumph.
The senior teams will kick-off at 4pm following a Celtic Cup derby between the next generation at 1pm.
Doubling up should provide plenty of hopefuls with the chance to stake a claim for the tricky PRO14 opener when the Dragons head Limerick to take on Munster on Saturday, September 28.
Ryan has appointed fellow former England number eight Luke Narraway as head coach for the Celtic Cup and will be an interested observer in the first clash against the Scarlets, who also have a new boss at the helm with Brad Mooar replacing Wales-bound Wayne Pivac.
The late start to the PRO14 means that the Dragons XV is likely to be stronger in the development competition with a number of fringe players joining forces with academy talent.
Narraway's men start their campaign away to Connacht on the weekend of August 23 before hosting Munster and heading to Cardiff Blues, with a smattering of experience likely to be selected by both regions at the Arms Park.
They then host the Scarlets and Ulster before Leinster in Dublin and the Ospreys at home on the weekends of away PRO14 encounters with Munster and Zebre respectively.
Venues are yet to be decided for the home games with the Dragons considering grounds around the region as well as their Ystrad Mynach training base, where they hosted teams last year.
Last season the Dragons won just one of six fixtures in the competition when wing Jared Rosser scored five tries against Connacht in Ystrad Mynach.
Senior squad members Connor Edwards, Rhys Lawrence, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor and James Benjamin (pictured above) featured alongside younger prospects.
That is a policy likely to be repeated with the Dragons using the talent from their transition group – including their nine-strong contingent from the World Rugby U20 Championship – and those battling to climb the pecking order for the seniors.
The Celtic Cup is a chance for Arwel Robson to put heat on fly-halves Sam Davies and Josh Lewis and an opportunity for new recruits Jack Cosgrove, a prop behind Ryan Bevington and Brok Harris, and Luke Baldwin, a scrum-half tussling with Rhodri Williams and Tavis Knoyle, to settle into their new club and show what they can do.
There will also be a new-look coaching team after James Chapron's promotion from academy manager to general rugby manager.
Narraway has been brought in by Ryan along with Welsh Rugby Union coach Geraint Lewis his assistant, while academy bosses Matt O'Brien and Sam Hobbs will also help call the shots.
Season ticket holders get in free to the Scarlets double-header while tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for juniors. Call 01633 674990 for more details.
It will be a busy weekend of east versus west rugby at Rodney Parade with Newport RFC entertaining Carmarthen Quins in round one of the Specsavers National Cup (kick-off 8pm), a fixture that has been moving forward to the Friday because of the regional double-header.
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