Newport Gwent Dragons have named a twenty-eight man squad in preparation for the Magners League fixture against Connacht this Thursday, 6 January 2011 (kick-off 19:35).
Paul Turner’s side are boosted by the return of Matthew Watkins to the squad for the first time this season, the centre having made a full recovery following stomach surgery in the summer. Watkins played in Newport’s Principality Premiership fixture against Glamorgan Wanderers on Monday and now comes into the full regional squad. New signing Mike Petri, the American international scrum half, who also appeared for Newport on Monday as a replacement, will make his debut for the Men of Gwent if selected.
All of the players involved in the narrow New Year’s Day defeat at Parc y Scarlets are included, whilst Andrew Coombs and Robin Sowden-Taylor are also named in the squad, adding to the Dragons’ back-row strength.
Paul Turner said: “Connacht are a very good side – big and physical, and they’ve developed well over the years. They’ve proved this season that they can perform on the road as well as at home, and they’re always very well organised.
“It’s a huge game for us. We need to win – four points will take us up the League within touching distance of the next group of teams.
“We took a few knocks on the weekend, but we’re hopeful of having everyone fit.”
The Men of Gwent last faced Connacht in the opening fixture of this season, when they were soundly beaten 40-17 in Galway, but they have a strong home record against the Irish province, having won six of the previous seven encounters between the two sides played at Rodney Parade, most recently winning 23-10 in October 2009.
Long term injury absentees Martyn Thomas and Joe Bearman have returned to rugby training, and will hopefully make their returns for the Dragons in the coming weeks.
Dragons Squad:
Backs
Pat Leach, Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Adam Hughes, Tom Riley, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Mathew Jones, Jonathan Evans, Wayne Evans, Mike Petri.
Forwards
Hugh Gustafson, Ben Castle, Phil Price, Pat Palmer, Tom Willis (c), Steve Jones, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau, Lewis Evans, Andrew Coombs, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Paul Turner’s side are boosted by the return of Matthew Watkins to the squad for the first time this season, the centre having made a full recovery following stomach surgery in the summer. Watkins played in Newport’s Principality Premiership fixture against Glamorgan Wanderers on Monday and now comes into the full regional squad. New signing Mike Petri, the American international scrum half, who also appeared for Newport on Monday as a replacement, will make his debut for the Men of Gwent if selected.
All of the players involved in the narrow New Year’s Day defeat at Parc y Scarlets are included, whilst Andrew Coombs and Robin Sowden-Taylor are also named in the squad, adding to the Dragons’ back-row strength.
Paul Turner said: “Connacht are a very good side – big and physical, and they’ve developed well over the years. They’ve proved this season that they can perform on the road as well as at home, and they’re always very well organised.
“It’s a huge game for us. We need to win – four points will take us up the League within touching distance of the next group of teams.
“We took a few knocks on the weekend, but we’re hopeful of having everyone fit.”
The Men of Gwent last faced Connacht in the opening fixture of this season, when they were soundly beaten 40-17 in Galway, but they have a strong home record against the Irish province, having won six of the previous seven encounters between the two sides played at Rodney Parade, most recently winning 23-10 in October 2009.
Long term injury absentees Martyn Thomas and Joe Bearman have returned to rugby training, and will hopefully make their returns for the Dragons in the coming weeks.
Dragons Squad:
Backs
Pat Leach, Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Adam Hughes, Tom Riley, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Mathew Jones, Jonathan Evans, Wayne Evans, Mike Petri.
Forwards
Hugh Gustafson, Ben Castle, Phil Price, Pat Palmer, Tom Willis (c), Steve Jones, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau, Lewis Evans, Andrew Coombs, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
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