The former Wales and British & Irish Lions hooker is one of six changes to the Dragons side which defeated Ealing Trailfinders last Saturday.
Hibbard will start in the front row alongside Brok Harris and Ryan Bevington, with Rynard Landman partnering Matthew Screech at lock.
As for the back row, Wales international Aaron Wainwright and Lewis Evans replace Huw Taylor and James Benjamin. There is only one change behind the scrum with George Gasson getting a start on the wing.
“It was a good chance to try out 27 players against Ealing last Saturday,” said Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman.
“The boys worked hard for the win which gives a bit of feel-good factor in training.
“The big thing from us from last weekend is not having any injuries, bar Gavin Henson who got a knock to his knee. It rules him out for this game, but it’s not serious and he should be fine for Gloucester next week.
“We think we’ll develop a lot over the next two weeks to be ready for Benetton.
“The boys that have come in have added a lot on and off the field, so we’re looking forward to working hard and making a team that can make people in Gwent proud.
“Northampton are a bigger test for us and if you look at the conditions they played in against the Ospreys, it was pretty wet and windy and hard to play, so we expect them to come with a real attacking mentality on Friday night.
“Chris Boyd, the new coach, played a really expansive style with the Hurricanes and they have recruited well so Friday night will be a step up for us and hopefully a good test for our boys and a chance to put another good performance in.”
Dragons: J Williams; J Goodchild, A Warren, J Dixon (C), G Gasson; J Lewis, R Williams; R Bevington, R Hibbard, B Harris, M Screech, R Landman, A Wainwright, N Cudd, L Evans.
Replacements: G Ellis, R Lawrence, L Fairbrother, B Nansen, H Taylor, J Benjamin, R Davies, J Botica, T Loots, T Morgan, D Howells, W Talbot-Davies.
Northampton Saints: T Collins; O Slightholme, F Dingwall, P Francis (C), K Pisi; D Biggar, C Reinach; F van Wyk, M Haywood, E Painter, A Ratuniyawara, J Craig, J Haskell, L Ludlam, T Harrison.
Replacements: A Waller, W Davies, J Fish, J Gray, B Franks, C Lawes, D Ribbans, J Gibson, H Brüssow, M Eadie, A Mitchell, J Grayson, N Tuitavake, R Hutchinson, M Worley, T Emery.
