The clash against Leinster will be his second start at lock for the Dragons this season, after the positive impact he made against Zebre. Groves, who is 24 and was born in Pontypridd, made his Dragons debut in 2010 in a local derby match where he came on in the back row.
Dragons head coach Darren Edwards has also put faith in young gun Jack Dixon who will create a new centre pairing alongside Pat Leach. They last played side by side away from home against Bath at the Rec. The Men of Gwent have also made a change in the front five with Sam Parry stepping in as hooker and Jonathan Evans starts at scrum half.
The regional side’s silent assassin, Nic Cudd who has just signed a new two year deal with the club, retains his place on the team as he dons his regular number seven jersey said,
“I am playing regularly here and it’s going well for me. There is a good bunch of back row players here, so it keeps the competition going and is good for the team.”
“Leinster are a great team and its going to be a very tough game Friday night we have to step up to the mark really and hopefully we can do that.”
As for the bench we have Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Adam Jones and Wayne Evans who have been changed from the previous line up.
Dragons Dan Evans, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Steffan Jones, Jonathan Evans; Ieuan Jones, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c), Jevon Groves, Ian Nimmo, Nathan Buck, Sam Parry, Phil Price.
Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Dan Way, Rob Sidoli, Adam Jones, Wayne Evans, Tom Prydie, Will Harries.
