TAULUPE Faletau has been recalled for Newport Gwent Dragons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup clash with Stade Francais at Rodney Parade.
The Wales and Lions number eight came off the bench in last weekend’s stunning 40-29 win in Newcastle that secured Pool Three top spot.
He returns to the starting line-up with in-form James Thomas moving forward from the back row to partner lock and captain Rynard Landman.
Geraint Rhys Jones comes in at full-back with Tom Prydie moving to the wing to replace Matthew Pewtner, who suffered a blow to the head against the Falcons.
Elliot Dee, who narrowly missed out on selection for Wales’ Six Nations squad, returns at hooker with Rhys Thomas backing him up from the bench after recovering from hip and groin injuries that have sidelined him since Boxing Day.
Stade may not have all their big guns but still start with Samoa full-back Paul Williams, former New Zealand rugby league international Krisnan Inu in midfield, Australia wing Digby Ioane, South Africa fly-half Morne Steyn and France scrum-half Julien Dupuy
The Dragons have already qualified for the quarter-finals and will have a home tie on the first weekend of April if Edinburgh fail to beat Bordeaux-Begles with a bonus point this evening.
Dragons: GR Jones, T Prydie, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones, J Evans, P Price, E Dee, B Harris, J Thomas, R Landman (captain), L Evans, N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: R Thomas, L Fairbrother, D Way, C Hill, I Gough, L Jones, A O’Brien, A Hewitt.
Stade Francais: P Williams, T Cazedepats, G Doumayrou (captain), K Inu, D Ioane, M Steyn, J Dupuy, R Frou, Z Zhvania, D Kubriashvili, P Gabrillagues, J Guillemain, M Ugena, M De Giovanni, N Garrault. Replacements: S Chellat, Z Taulafo, A Oleon, J Nibert, R Bonfils, J Tomas, V Mallet, R Lakafia
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
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