Dragons move wing Jared Rosser to centre for Scarlets clash

Director of rugby Dean Ryan pledged that he is not treating the six-round tournament like a development competition and has named a strong side for Sunday.

However, he has opted to have a look at winger Rosser at outside centre – with the 23-year-old from Abersychan going up against Wales international Tyler Morgan, who moved west last summer.

He joins forces with up-and-coming Aneurin Owen in midfield with the Dragons hunting a rapid option at 13.

EXPERIMENT: Jared Rosser will line up at 13 for the Dragons

Ryan has rotated Owen and powerful duo Jamie Roberts and Jack Dixon in recent weeks.

With Nick Tompkins back at Saracens and Adam Warren set for a return from a groin injury in the second half of the Rainbow Cup, the Dragons are having a look at Rosser.

The speedster has made just five appearances this season after being frustrated by injury and the form of his wing rivals, although he did score one of the tries of the season at Glasgow.

The Rosser move might be a trial but the Dragons have still named a strong side for the opener.

Rhodri Williams captains the side and forms a half-back partnership with Sam Davies while Rio Dyer has got the nod to fill in for the injured Ashton Hewitt on wide and join forces with Jonah Holmes and Jordan Williams.

BACK: Flanker Taine Basham

Taine Basham returns from a fractured forearm suffered at the Scarlets on New Year’s Day at openside flanker with Wales internationals Ross Moriaty and Aaron Wainwright at blindside and number eight respectively.

On-loan hooker Taylor Davies will make his first start against his parent club, with Wales international Elliot Dee out with a niggle, while Chris Coleman gets a chance at tighthead with the experience of Aaron Jarvis on the bench.

Scrum-half Dan Babos is a replacement and the 21-year-old could make his first regional appearance since 2018.

The Scarlets also mix youth and experience in a side that is captained by Ryan Elias and features his fellow Wales internationals Johnny McNicholl, Morgan, Jonathan Davies, Steff Evans, Rob Evans and Jake Ball.

The visitors include three former Dragons in the 23 – Morgan, Dane Blacker and Angus O’Brien – plus former Newport tighthead Alex Jeffries and Cross Keys lock Lewis Rawlins.

Abergavenny-born Carwyn Tuipulotu, son of former Ebbw Vale and Tonga flanker Kati, is back row cover on the bench.

Dragons: J Williams; J Holmes, J Rosser, A Owen, R Dyer; S Davies, R Williams (captain); G Bateman, T Davies, C Coleman, B Carter, J Maksymiw, R Moriarty, T Basham, A Wainwright.

Replacements: R Lawrence, J Reynolds, A Jarvis, M Screech, D Baker, D Babos, E Lloyd, J Dixon.

Scarlets: J McNicholl; T Rogers, T Morgan, J Davies, S Evans; S Costelow, D Blacker; R Evans, R Elias (captain), A Jeffries, J Ball, M Jones, B Thomson, I Rees, U Cassiem.

Replacements: D Hughes, S Thomas, W Kruger, L Rawlins, C Tuipulotu, K Hardy, A O’Brien, S Hughes.