TAINE Basham starts at openside flanker for the Dragons against Zebre in the Guinness PRO14 tomorrow evening after spending the week with Wales.

The 20-year-old from Talywain was called up by Wayne Pivac for the clash against the Barbarians along with seven Rodney Parade teammates.

Basham missed out on the matchday squad for Principality Stadium so stays in Dean Ryan’s XV for the fixture against the Italians in Newport.

There are eight changes to the team that started the European Challenge Cup victory against Enisei-STM in Russia.

Hooker Richard Hibbard returns as captain and is joined in the pack by prop Brok Harris, lock Joe Davies, blindside Huw Taylor and number eight Harri Keddie.

Tavis Knoyle retains his place at scrum-half – Rhodri Williams having to be content with a place on the bench – with Jack Dixon and Adam Warren paired in midfield and Owen Jenkins on the wing.

Will Talbot-Davies moves from wing to full-back to replace Jordan Williams, who is out for the season after rupturing knee ligaments in Russia.

Zebre field a much stronger side than the one thumped 52-28 by the Dragons in Parma during the World Cup.

However, they are without lock George Biagi after allowing him to play for the Barbarians against Wales.

Dragons: W Talbot-Davies, D Howells, A Warren, J Dixon, O Jenkins, A Robson, T Knoyle, B Harris, R Hibbard (captain), L Fairbrother, J Davies, M Screech, H Taylor, T Basham, H Keddie. Replacements: E Shipp, J Reynolds, A Jarvis, M Williams, B Fry, R Williams, J Botica, T Morgan.

Zebre: E Padovani, C Walker, G Bisegni, T Boni, J Elliott, C Canna, M Violi, D Fischetti, L Bigi, G Zilocchi, M Kearney, I Nagle, M Mbanda, G Licata, R Giammarioli. Replacements: O Fabiani, A Lovotti, E Bello, D Sisi, J Meyer, J Renton, M Biondelli, P Bruno.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)