Summer recruit Sam Davies could make his Dragons debut after being named in the matchday squad for the Celtic Cup fixture with Cardiff Blues A on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm).
Fly half Davies is among the replacements for the Round 3 clash at Cardiff Arms Park as a 25-man squad go out to represent Dragons XV.
There are ten changes to the side that defeated Munster A last Friday night, with welcome returns after injury for Harri Keddie and Taine Basham in the back row.
A new-look front row will see Ryan Bevington, Rhys Lawrence and Chris Coleman pack down.
Centres Jack Dixon and Adam Warren combine in midfield while Dafydd Howells comes onto the wing.
Fly half Jacob Botica retains his spot from the Munster win and will line-up at half back alongside scrum half Tavis Knoyle.
The final change to the side is a call-up for full back Owen Jenkins, who could face his former regional side.
Back row Keddie, who will captain from Number Eight, has called on Dragons to build momentum before the new league season.
“I’m really excited to be back out playing as it feels like ages since I last ran out with the boys,” said Keddie, who last played in March against Ulster when he injured his foot.
“The Dragons XV performed really well last week at home against Munster so they set the standards for the team who are playing this week. It’s up to us to go out and match that.
“The team produced some great attacking rugby so hopefully we can keep that up and build crucial momentum, with the start of the new league season less than a month away.”
A strong bench sees a potential return for back row Ollie Griffiths, who has been ruled out since February with a bicep injury, alongside the likes of Rhodri Williams and Jordan Williams.
Aneurin Owen and Carwyn Penny are named among the replacements after impressing against Munster A.
Dragons XV (v Cardiff Blues A): Owen Jenkins, Dafydd Howells, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Rio Dyer, Jacob Botica, Tavis Knoyle; Ryan Bevington, Rhys Lawrence, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Max Williams, Huw Taylor, Taine Basham, Harri Keddie
Replacements: Josh Reynolds, Ellis Shipp, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ollie Griffiths, Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies, Jordan Williams, Aneurin Owen, Carwyn Penny
The team produced some great attacking rugby so hopefully we can keep that up and build crucial momentum with the start of the new league season less than a month away...
