WING Ashton Hewitt will miss Newport Gwent Dragons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup shoot-out with Brive on Saturday (2pm).

The 22-year-old speedster, who was this week called into the Wales squad for the first time, has not played since the New Year’s Day loss to the Ospreys.

Hewitt has been out of action because of a minor knee injury and his chances of returning before joining up with Rob Howley’s Six Nations squad were hit by sickness that forced him to miss training earlier this week.

Centre Tyler Morgan also misses out with an ankle injury and there is no place for midfield partner Jack Dixon – they are replaced by Sam Beard and Adam Warren, who switches from the wing.

The back three sees full-back Carl Meyer retain his position alongside wings Adam Hughes, in for Tom Prydie, and the returning Pat Howard.

It is all change at half-back where Angus O’Brien and Tavis Knoyle get the nod over Dorian Jones and Sarel Pretorius at 10 and nine respectively.

Tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother is the one change to the front row from the side that beat Enisei-STM, he packs down alongside hooker Rhys Thomas and loosehead Sam Hobbs.

Nick Crosswell will make his 50th appearance for the Dragons alongside Welsh international Cory Hill in the second row, while flanker Ollie Griffiths returns to the back row.

Skipper Lewis Evans is recalled and Ed Jackson keeps his place at number-eight in favour of Harri Keddie.

Phil Price, Craig Mitchell, Rhys Buckley, Rynard Landman, Nic Cudd, Keddie, Pretorius and Jones make up the bench.

Dragons: Carl Meyer; Adam Hughes, Sam Beard, Adam Warren, Pat Howard; Angus O’Brien, Tavis Knoyle; Sam Hobbs, Rhys Thomas, Lloyd Fairbrother, Nick Crosswell, Cory Hill, Lewis Evans (capt), Ollie Griffiths, Ed Jackson.

Reps: Rhys Buckley, Phil Price, Craig Mitchell, Rynard Landman, Nic Cudd, Sarel Pretorius, Dorian Jones, Harri Keddie.