The Rodney Parade region will be hoping to start the campaign in the same fashion as last season, when they won five of their seven opening fixtures. But they face a tough task against Connacht who they have not beaten at the Galway Sportsground for 10 years.
Pat Lam’s side did the double on the Dragons last season, running out 11-14 winners at home before they inflicted a damaging 24-8 defeat in Newport.Â
The region have only won three of 15 matches in 2014 but have strengthened over the summer with Lee Byrne, Andy Powell, Ian Gough, Aled Brew, Rynard Landman and Boris Stankovich all joining Lyn and Kingsley Jones at the Dragons.Â
Connacht made a late dash for a European Champions Cup spot in February when they won four PRO12 matches in-a-row. But their form spiralled downwards after their successful Six Nations period and they failed to win in any of their last five matches.Â
New skipper Lee Byrne makes his Dragons debut tomorrow alongside fellow new-boys Andy Powell, Boris Stankovich, Rynard Landman and Lloyd Fairbrother.Â
Aled Brew marks his return to the region with a start on the wing after two seasons in France with Biarritz.Â
Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan form an exciting new centre partnership after Pat Leach injured his knee last week.Â
The match has come too soon for All Black legend Mils Muliaina to make his Connacht bow but Quinn Roux, Ian Porter and Niyi Adeolokun all make their debuts.Â
NG Dragons: Lee Byrne (c), Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Jonathan Evans; Boris Stankovich, Elliot Dee, Lloyd Fairbrother, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Andy Powell.
Replacements: T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Dan Way, Ian Gough, Taulupe Faletau, Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones, Barney Nightingale.
Connacht: Shane Layden, Niyi Adeolokun, Darragh Leader, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Jack Carty, Ian Porter; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Nathan White, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux, John Muldoon ©, Jake Heenan, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: Sean Henry, Finlay Bealham, Rodney Ah You, George Naoupu, Willie Faloon, Kieran Marmion, Miah Nikora, Conor Finn.
Â
