The Dragons stalwart will feature alongside a number of senior regional players including Geraint Rhys Jones, Angus O’Brien, Luc Jones and James Benjamin. The squad also includes Dragons skipper Thomas Rhys Thomas who has been named on the replacements bench. Premiership select coach James Chapron has also named a number of young exciting talent.
Fullback Geraint Rhys Jones is joined in the back three by Newport RFC wing Elliot Frewen and Dragons newbie Aaron Warren. The centre partnership sees Barney Nightingale and Adam Jones join forces. Dragons player Angus O’Brien is named as fly-half and is joined in the half backs by Luc Jones.
The hard hitting front row sees the inclusion of hooker Hugh Gustafson who packs down alongside Dragons players Luke Garrett and Lloyd Fairbrother. The second row includes Scott Andrews and Ebbw Vale star Ashley Sweet, with an impressive back row of Scott Matthews, James Benjamin and Harri Keddie.
The replacements bench includes Thomas Rhys Thomas, who makes his return to play from injury against Connacht. He is joined by Richard Cornock, Alex Jeffries, Adam Brown, Luke Crocker, Owen Davies and Arwel Robson.
Skipper Hugh Gustafson commented: "Any team that goes out to Galway knows they are in for a tough game but if we are going to succeed in this group then we need to leave with something.
"It's a hard place to go but it's new for a lot of these boys so isn't daunting. They have no fears or worries about where they are going after previous defeats.
"It will be a tough challenge but we are looking forward to it and have a great blend of senior Dragons, Premiership players and outstanding young talent coming through the academy.
"I look forward to leading a group who I believe can do something special in this tournament."
Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select team to face Connacht Eagles
Geraint Rhys Jones (Dragons), Elliot Frewen (Newport RFC), Barney Nightingale (Dragons Academy/ Newport RFC), Adam Jones (Ebbw Vale), Aaron Warren (Dragons), Angus O’Brien (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Luc Jones (Dragons); Luke Garrett (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Hugh Gustafson © (Dragons), Lloyd Fairbrother (Dragons/ Newport RFC), Scott Andrews (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Ashley Sweet (Ebbw Vale), Scott Matthews (Cross Keys), James Benjamin (Dragons), Harri Keddie (Dragons/ Ebbw Vale).
Replacements: Thomas Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), Alex Jeffries (Dragons/ Newport RFC), Adam Brown (Newport RFC), Luke Crocker (Ebbw Vale), Owen Davies (Dragons/ Newport RFC), Arwel Robson (Dragons Academy/ Newport RFC).
