Charteris has recovered from a wrist injury to make his first appearance in a Dragons shirt this season and his first appearance on Welsh soil since returning from the World Cup. Centre Ashley Smith retains the Dragons captaincy for the Munster game having deputised capably in Charteris’ absence.
Tonderai Chavhanga returns to make his first appearance since suffering a rib injury in the match against the Ospreys on 6 January. He replaces Adam Hughes who is out with a facial injury he picked up last week in Italy. Will Harries also comes into the backline at full back replacing the injured Martyn Thomas.
Lewis Robling will make his first Dragons start at outside half against Munster on Saturday. He has largely been used as an inside centre during his first season with the senior Dragons side but has played at 10 a number of times when coming on as a replacement.
With Charteris coming back into the second row, Jevon Groves reverts to his preferred back row position in place of the injured Gavin Thomas. The final change in the Dragons starting XV is at prop where Nathan Williams comes in for Phil Price.
Amongst the replacements are flanker Darren Waters who has recovered from the knock he took against Edinburgh and 17 year old centre Jack Dixon who could make only his second senior Dragons appearance (and RaboDirect PRO12 debut) if he comes off the bench.
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Will Harries 14 Tonderai Chavhanga 13 Andy Tuilagi 12 Ashley Smith (c) 11 Aled Brew 10 Lewis Robling9 Wayne Evans 1 Nathan Williams 2 Steve Jones 3 Nathan Buck 4 Luke Charteris 5 Rob Sidoli 6 Jevon Groves 7 Lewis Evans 8 Tom Brown
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry 17 Phil Price 18 Dan Way 19 Hugo Ellis 20 Darren Waters 21 Jonathan Evans 22 Jack Dixon 23 Steffan Jones
