The Ospreys currently sit in second place in the RaboDirect PRO12 league table as the Dragons sit in sixth; second in with the Welsh regions.
Looking forward to Friday night’s game, Dragons skipper Coombs said, “We are sitting sixth in the league and it’s not something that we have achieved for a number of years. It’s been a fantastic start but it’s all about keeping it going.
“The Ospreys are going to be hurting a lot after their losses, including two Heineken cup games, but it’s going to be a difficult evening for us. I am sure if we start as we started against Scarlets, full of confidence and ambition to run the ball, we just need to go there and challenge them.
“Whenever you play the Ospreys it’s always going to be difficult because of the quality of players they have. They know how to turn things around they have been in this position before and they have come through it before. No doubt on Friday night they are going to be on fire and it’s just important that we are on top of our game to win that match.”
Director of Rugby Lyn Jones has made seven changes to his RaboDirect team, from the clash against Bath Rugby in the Amlin.
He makes only one change in the back three as Tom Prydie steps in as open side wing; both Hallam Amos and Dan Evans keep their places from last week. The centre pairing takes on a slightly different look with Lewis Robling who makes his first start of the season for the Dragons.
International fly half Kris Burton gets his third start of the season in the number 10 jersey as Richie Rees retains his place from last week.
There is only one change in the front row as young gun Sam Parry steps in as hooker and Hugh Gustafson moves to the bench. Matthew Screech also keeps his place alongside skipper Andrew Coombs in the second row. There is only one change in the back row with Jevon Groves moving into the flanker position, alongside Lewis Evans and Toby Faletau.
The bench has six changes from last week, with Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Will Harries and Adam Hughes.
Dragons team to face Ospreys
Dan Evans, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Lewis Robling, Hallam Amos, Kris Burton, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Andrew Coombs (c), Jevon Groves, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau.
Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Will Harries, Adam Hughes.
