NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have backed captain Rhys Thomas by selecting the hooker for their crunch European clash with Sale ahead of his disciplinary hearing for biting.

The former Wales front row forward is in London this afternoon after being cited for allegedly biting flanker Yannick Caballero in the win against Castres last weekend.

If he is cleared then he will line up in the front row in Salford tomorrow evening for the Challenge Cup encounter that will decide Pool Two top spot and carries the prize of a home quarter-final (kick-off 7.45pm).

Thomas’ inclusion at the expense of Elliot Dee is the solitary change to the XV that secured a spot in the last eight with a bonus point win against the 2013 French champions.

Sale were thumped 30-12 in the tournament opener at Rodney Parade but have selected their big guns this time.

The Sharks are captained by England new boy Josh Beaumont in the back row while Danny Cipriani and Peter Stringer are paired at half-back.

They plump for a heavyweight front row of Eifion Lewis Roberts and Brian Mujati either side of bright prospect Tommy Taylor.

Sale: M Haley, W Addison, S James, J Leota, N Edwards, D Cipriani, P Stringer, E L Roberts, T Taylor, B Mujati, B Evans, A Ostrikov, C Neild, M Lund, J Beaumont (captain). Replacements: N Briggs, R Harrison, V Cobilas, J Mills, M Easter, J Mitchell, J Ford, M Jennings.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, A Hughes, A Warren, H Amos, J Tovey, S Pretorius, P Price, R Thomas (captain), B Harris, C Hill, R Landman, L Evans, N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: E Dee, B Stankovich, S Knight, M Screech, E Jackson, C Davies, A O’Brien, N Scott.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)