Looking to build on their home win over Cardiff Blues last weekend, the Dragons will face a club that will be captained this season by one of their old players, the ex-Wales Under 21 and Sevens scrum half Alex Walker.
Fullback Geraint Rhys Jones gets the nod alongside wingers George Gasson and Aled Brew in the back three and Barney Nightingale will partner Dixon in midfield. Angus O’Brien gets his first pre-season start in the No 10 shirt and is joined at half-back by Charlie Davies.
The front row sees props Keagan Bale and Shaun Knight pack own alongside Rhys Buckley with new signing Darran Harris ready to fit in at hooker. Matthew Screech partnes newcomer Ashley Sweet in the second row and the back row sees the return of Wales U20 star Harrison Keddie.
“Nobody wants to watch on a weekend after playing a part in training and we all want to leave a mark whenever we can so that we put our hands up for selection. I want to be seen as a real option for the coaches and to be involved in the squads on weekends, so Ealing is a good chance for all of us to set out our stall,” said Keddie.
“We can set the tone and a big performance will put you in the shop window… so all of us are determined to give it our best shot on Saturday. It’s important to take any chances that come your way and after a good break I can’t wait to get out there.
“It’s important to learn all the roles because you never know what can happen week to week. You have to be ready. This weekend I will be at 6 with Ed at 8 and I think that all of us in the back row will have to be versatile this season.”
The replacements bench sees a mixture of youth, talent and experience as Head Coach Kingsley Jones aims to give the remainder of the squad a run out before their final pre-season clash against hard hitting Exeter.
Newport Gwent Dragons: Geraint Rhys Jones; George Gasson, Barney Nightingale, Jack Dixon (captain), Aled Brew; Angus O’Brien, Charlie Davies; Keagan Bale, Rhys Buckley, Shaun Knight, Matthew Screech, Ashley Sweet, Harri Keddie, James Benjamin, Ed Jackson
Replacements: Darran Harris, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, James Thomas, Luc Jones, Arwel Robson, Lloyd Lewis, Sam Hobbs, Henry Williams, Lloyd Phillips, Josh Skinner, Scott Andrews.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
