The Dragons have named an unchanged back line for the game whilst there are two changes to the pack; Colin Charvis coming in for Joe Bearman and Michael Owen at No.8 for Nic Fitisemanu, who is named on the replacements bench.
The return of the two Wales international heavyweights is a welcome boost to Paul Turner’s side. The Gwent boss knows that after a hard seasonal period the prospect of facing Heineken Cup winners Munster means his squad will be tested to the limit.
“There’s no let up in intensity for us,” Turner told BBC Wales. “Against the Blues and Ospreys I think we showed that we have a side who can compete and come away with the spoils.
“It was disappointing to lose to the Ospreys as we certainly had chances to clinch the victory. However, we have used that game as motivation and we will approach Munster with confidence.
“We have beaten them on our home patch, 23-17 last season, and need to take our recent belief as a squad into Friday night’s match.”
Turner has turned around the fortunes of the region after a difficult start to the season. The Dragons were defeated 6-12 by the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium on New Year’s Eve, but at Rodney Parade the Dragons have won five in a row in all competitions since losing there 22-23 to the Scarlets on September 12th.
Munster have won their last half a dozen matches in all competitions since the Scarlets beat them 25-12 at Stradey Park on November 5th. Munster beat Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park in the European Cup in December but they have lost on their last five visits to Wales in the league.
The Dragons won 23-17 when the two sides met at Rodney Parade in April 2006.
Dragons: Kevin Morgan (capt), Gareth Wyatt, Paul Emerick, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper, Adam Black, Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris/Peter Sidoli, Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer, Michael Owen
Replacements: Kieran Crawford, Dai Maddocks, Andrew Hall, Nic Fitisemanu, Gareth Chapman, Mike Hercus, Alex Walker
Munster: Christian Cullen, Anthony Horgan, Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling, Jeremy Manning, Tomas O’Leary, Marcus Horan, Andy Kyriacou, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, Mick O’Driscoll, John O’Sullivan, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley (capt)
