The Dragons have a more senior look to their side with a number of the younger players who played last week like Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans and Luke Williams away with Wales Under 20s who are playing Ireland also on Friday night.
In all there are 10 changes in the Dragons starting line-up with a further two positional changes, Lewis Robling shifts from inside centre to the pivotal outside half position and Jamie Smith moves from fullback to the wing.
In the pack Sam Parry retains his place at hooker, as does Jevon Groves in the second row and Darren Waters at openside flanker.
Dragons coach Rob Appleyard is excited by the clash. “It is always great to play the English sides in competitions like this. There is always a different flavour to the games and they pose different challenges for both the players and coaches.”
“We have taken this competition very seriously this season, taking it as an opportunity to blood players who we feel will develop into important senior players here at the region. We have shown this intent once again in our selection tonight and have shown faith in guys like Sam Parry and Lewis Robling by selecting them in important positions for us.”
Newport Gwent Dragons
Martyn Thomas, Aled Brew, Adam Hughes, Ashley Smith (c), Jamie Smith, Lewis Robling, Wayne Evans, Nathan Williams, Sam Parry (Newport), Nathan Buck, Jevon Groves, Rob Sidoli, Gavin Thomas, Darren Waters, Tom Brown
Replacements Steve Jones, Phil Price, Dan Way, Royce Cadman (Bedwas), Hugo Ellis, Joe Bedford, Andy Tuilagi, Steffan Jones
