NEWPORT Gwent Dragons flanker James Thomas says he has to hit the ground running when he comes off the bench against Newcastle tomorrow after patiently waiting for his chance to shine.

The 26-year-old has not featured since wearing 6 on his back in the European Rugby Challenge Cup loss at Worcester on December 10.

Thomas, who is also covering lock this weekend, has watched on while the back row of Lewis Evans, Ollie Griffiths and Ed Jackson have performed strongly.

After playing for the Dragons Premiership Select XV in their British and Irish Cup fixtures against Ealing Trailfinders and Bedford Blues, he gets another crack to get back into the Guinness PRO12 squad by going up against the Falcons.

“It’s been a few weeks since Worcester away and I’ve been itching to get on,” said Thomas. “I’ve had a couple of games in the BIC, which were good, and now I’m looking forward to getting back out there.

“The BIC was perfect timing because you don’t want to not play for a while and then jump straight back in, so we had two games against strong teams and a good win (against Bedford) last week.

“The back row have been playing really well and if you don’t match up to that standard you won’t be able to put yourself up against them (for selection).

“It’s good to have competition for places and if this weekend’s back row play well then last week’s know that they also need to kick on.”

Thomas made a huge and unexpected impact in 2014/15 after earning a professional contract thanks to his performances as captain of Bedwas in the Principality Premiership.

He made 28 appearances that season but was hindered by injury last year, making just four appearances, and has featured on nine occasions this term.

Thomas hopes to get his foot in the door with a strong display as a replacement against the Falcons.

He said: “Sometimes you play more than you thought you would and sometimes you play less than you want to, rugby’s a funny game but you just have to keep your head and take the opportunities when they come.

“When the boys are playing well you have to respect that because when I was first signed I had my chance and took it so I suppose there were boys who weren’t playing that probably thought they should have been.

“When boys play well it’s good for the team and competition, so I have to push them on as well.”

Thomas has to settle for a place on the bench with head coach Kingsley Jones selecting an experienced side captained by wing Adam Hughes.

Griffiths shifts to blindside flanker with Nic Cudd coming in at openside and promising prospect Harri Keddie getting the nod at number eight.

The 23-man squad features just one player who is not a regional regular - 21-year-old Bedwas back rower Robson Blake, who has earned a full-time deal for next season - while Newcastle have also plumped for a strong side featuring Fijian ace Vereniki Goneva on the wing.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes (captain), T Morgan, A Warren, T Prydie, D Jones, S Pretorius, T Davies, R Buckley, B Harris, M Screech, R Landman, O Griffiths, N Cudd, H Keddie. Replacements: R Thomas, S Hobbs, L Fairbrother, J Thomas, R Blake, C Davies, A O’Brien, S Beard.

Newcastle: A Tait, B Agulla, C Harris, JP Socino, V Goneva, J Hodgson, S Takulua, R Vickers, S Lawson, J Welsh, C Green, E Olmstead, S Robinson, W Welch (captain), M Wilson. Replacements: K Cooper, A Brocklebank, A Foster, M Botha, C Chick, M Young, C Willis, D Waldouck.