NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have handed the reins to Dorian Jones for their crunch European Rugby Challenge Cup clash against Newcastle while Wales ace Taulupe Faletau drops to the bench.

The 22-year-old fly-half replaces Jason Tovey in the starting XV with Angus O'Brien, the start of their stunning win against Stade Francais in Paris in October, backing him up from the bench.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones springs another surprise by giving Hugh Gustafson a first start of the season at hooker and Faletau, who has been troubled by an ankle injury, is among the replacements.

Lewis Evans gets the nod at number eight and in-form James Thomas plays blindside.

The Dragons start round five in Pool Three top spot and wins against Newcastle and Stade Francais, who host Bucharest before visiting Rodney Parade, would earn a home quarter-final. Five match points from the fixtures should be enough to qualify as runners-up.

Head coach Kingsley Jones says his charges need to cut out the errors that cost them dearly in October's encounter at Rodney Parade when the Falcons triumphed 30-26.

The region shipped a pair of tries from charge downs of Hallam Amos kicks, missed 10 points from the tee and botched a series of five-metre lineouts.

"A target of ours is to get to 23 points in every game, that's often enough to win but against them at home it wasn't so we have to tighten up our defence and cut out the errors," said Jones.

"I am sure you will see two positive teams in Newcastle and we've had some high-scoring games in this competition.

"We went out to Stade Francais to play expansively and Newcastle did the same. I'd expect an open game but if we win 6-0 I'd take it but our intentions are to go and play."

Newcastle have left a raft of their overseas stars out of their European squad and boss Dean Richards has stressed Aviva Premiership form is their priority but Jones expects the challenge to be just as stern.

"Newcastle are full of confidence and have scored more tries in the last few months than they did in the whole of last season," he said.

"They are on the up and looking to play an expansive game, coupled with that drive and scrum they have.

"At the start of the tournament Newcastle possibly thought it was about giving their young players a go and concentrating on the league but the picture has changed for them. They will be desperate to continue their good form."

Newcastle: S Hammersley, T Penny, A Powell, C Harris, A Tait, T Catterick, R Tipuna, A Rogers, G McGuigan, K Brookes, S Robinson, K Thompson, R Mayhew, A Saull (captain), C York. Replacements: R Hawkins, R Vickers, E Fry, W Witty, W Welch, A Davies, R Clegg, J Socino

Dragons: T Prydie, M Pewtner, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones, J Evans, P Price, H Gustafson, B Harris, A Coombs, R Landman (captain), J Thomas, N Cudd, L Evans. Replacements: E Dee, O Evans, L Fairbrother, C Hill, T Faletau, L Jones, A O'Brien, GR Jones

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)