The 23-year-old O’Driscoll replaces the injured Mike Poole on the left wing.
Further changes in the back division after last week’s win over Aironi include; Matthew Pewtner for Adam Hughes at 14, Pat Leach moves from 12 to 13 with Ashley Smith returning to the staring line-up at 12, and Joe Bedford starts at scrum half with Wayne Evans on the bench.
The only change to the pack sees Nathan Williams in for Phil Price for his first start at loose head.
Connacht’s starting XV sees five changes to that which earned a bonus point against Edinburgh last weekend. In the pack Ray Ofisa comes in at No 8 for the injured George Naoupu. Dave Gannon will make his first start since his return to the Province. The 6’6 second row replaces Michael Swift who is unavailable due to illness.
After making his comeback from injury against the Scarlets two weeks ago Brett Wilkinson makes the starting line up, with Ronan Loughney providing prop cover from the bench.
There’s a new halfback pairing with Frank Murphy at scrum half and Niall O’Connor at outside half while Brian Tuohy comes onto the wing for Mark McCrea.
Connacht 15 Gavin Duffy (C) 14 Brian Tuohy 13 Eoin Griffin 12 Henry Fa’afili 11 Tiernan O’Halloran 10 Niall O’Connor 9 Frank Murphy; 1 Brett Wilkinson 2 Ethienne Reynecke 3 Rodney Ah You 4 Dave Gannon 5 Mike McCarthy 6 John Muldoon 7 Johnny O’Connor 8 Ray Ofisa
Replacements 16 Adrian Flavin 17 Ronan Loughney 18 Dylan Rogers 19 Mick Kearney 20 TJ Anderson 21 Paul O’Donohoe 22 Mathew Jarvis 23 James Loxton
Newport Gwent Dragons 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Matthew Pewtner, 13 Pat Leach, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Geraint O’Driscoll, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Joe Bedford, 1 Nathan Williams, 2 Tom Willis (c), 3 Dan Way, 4 Adam Jones, 5 Rob Sidoli, 6 Lewis Evans, 7 Gavin Thomas, 8 Andrew Coombs
Replacements 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Phil Price, 18 Nathan Buck, 19 Darren Waters, 20 Jevon Groves, 21 Wayne Evans, 22 Tom Riley, 23 Matthew Jones
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