Gareth Chapman is a club player with Newport and the Dragons regional policy is bearing fruition with three players from clubs in the region and playing in the Principality Premiership involved with the Dragons.
Cross Keys prop Ian George started against Edinburgh in the Celtic League, last week Pontypool’s Scott Williams started against Worcester and now Chapman is involved on Saturday. With Gareth Wyatt ruled out for two months with a dislocated elbow and the need for an out and out right wing The Dragons sent an SOS call to Chapman who was in Dubai with the Wales 7s squad. Chapman will make his second start for the region following last season’s debut also against Leinster. Youngster Richard Fussell who has impressed this season will start on the other wing.
Ceri Sweeney has recovered from his groin strain to partner Sione Tuipulotu in the centre. The halfbacks remain unchanged from the Worcester game following their impressive partnership.
In the front row Rhys Thomas is back at tight head prop and makes his eleventh start of the season. Peter Sidoli has recovered from last week’s bout of flu to partner the impressive Ian Gough in the second row. In the back row Scottish International Andrew Hall remains at blindside flanker following his man of the match performance against Worcester while Jamie Ringer comes in for injured skipper Jason Forster. Michael Owen will captain the side at No.8.
With the Dragons waiting on a number of injuries they will delay announcing their replacements until Saturday morning.
Dragons: Aled Thomas, Gareth Chapman, Sione Tuipulotu, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Fussell, Craig Warlow, Gareth Cooper, Adam Black, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Andrew Hall, Jamie Ringer, Michael Owen (c)
