With three GUINNESS PRO14 matches left in the season, the Men of Gwent have made four changes to the side that faced Toyota Cheetahs at Rodney Parade in March.
There is one change made to the back three as Jared Rosser, joins fellow wing Ashton Hewitt and fullback Zane Kirchner, seeing him replace Welsh International wing Hallam Amos, who is currently with Wales Sevens in the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games. The centre partnership remains unchanged as Sam Beard and Connor Edwards get the nod, however there is one change in the half-backs as Arwel Robson is joined by 20-year-old scrumhalf Owain Leonard.
The front row has one change made to it as Gerard Ellis links up with fellow prop Lloyd Fairbrother and hooker Elliot Dee, whilst the second row sees the return of experienced lock Rynard Landman as he is paired up with skipper Cory Hill. In the back row, Harrison Keddie and Aaron Wainwright start, with Lewis Evans packing down at number eight.
Looking ahead to the match against Benetton Rugby, Dragons Skills Coach Barry Maddocks commented; “Benetton defend very well, we know that we will have to go through multiple phases to break them down, they have a very good set phase and a decent scrum.
“They also have many good attacking players in the back three, as well as Marty Banks at number 10, who are able to strike from anywhere on the pitch.
“They are a good side and the boys are looking forward to the challenge. Inevitably they will be looking forward to us coming over and I think that we are the underdogs but the boys have been very positive with their attitude and have trained exceptionally well, whilst the staff are super motivated for the remaining three games.
“We have had some tough days away, there’s no doubt about that, but we need to finish as strong as we can with the group that we have.”
Dragons team to face Benetton Rugby
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Owain Leonard; 1 Gerard Ellis, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 4 Cory Hill ©, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Harrison Keddie, 7 Aaron Wainwright, 8 Lewis Evans.
Replacements; Liam Belcher, Luke Garrett, Dan Suter, Joe Davies, Taine Basham, Charlie Davies, Adam Warren, Rio Dyer.
