BERNARD Jackman believes teenage speedster Rio Dyer could be a “special weapon” for the Dragons after handing the winger his Guinness PRO14 debut.

The 18-year-old from Rogerstone has been given the 11 jersey for Sunday’s clash with Benetton Rugby at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3.30pm).

Dyer made his Dragons debut against Saracens in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last month and is fresh from making his Wales Under-20s bow when he scored a try against England.

Jackman is excited about giving the former Pill Harriers and Newport High School Old Boys prospect a first taste of PRO14 action.

“We like Rio a lot, he is so raw but I can see him scoring this weekend, we just need to get him the ball in space,” said the head coach.

“He loves kick-chase, he loves working hard and is just a good kid who has the gift of speed and a good attitude.

“I see the up side of giving Rio some game time and with Ashton Hewitt out (with a foot injury) it’s an easy call. I think that this game will open up and Rio is an out-and-out finisher.

“He is 18 and in a year or two he could be a very, very special weapon for us. There are not many wings in Wales, if any, quicker than him – he is Keelan Giles quick and wants to work hard and get involved.”

Dyer comes in for Adam Warren in one of two changes to the XV that drew with Glasgow last week.

Former captain Lewis Evans makes his first appearance since suffering a torn pectoral muscle against the Ospreys in October, meaning Aaron Wainwright moves from blindside flanker to openside with James Benjamin given a breather.

Arwel Robson is back from an ankle injury to back up Zane Kirchner, who once again is fielded at fly-half.

The former Springbok has played most of his professional career in the back three but wears 10 on his back for the fourth game on the spin.

"Zane was very good against Worcester and gives us real energy," said Jackman. "He communicates and bosses there.

"Zane is our Swiss army knife, he can play 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15. That's what you want from your high-profile foreign player, they've got to be versatile and he'll fit in where we need him and do a good job."

Gavin Henson is absent with a minor leg injury but will return for Edinburgh in Ebbw Vale on Friday.

Benetton are boosted by the presence of Italy squad members Ian McKinley and Tiziano Pasquali after they were released for game time by Conor O’Shea.

Former Leinster fly-half Ian McKinley slots in at full-back with influential New Zealander Marty Banks, who kicked the match-winning penalty for the Highlanders against the Lions last summer, pulling the strings.

Benetton are chasing a fifth league win on the spin and field Monty Ioane fresh from his hat-trick heroics against the Scarlets last week.

Dragons: H Amos, J Rosser, T Morgan, J Dixon, R Dyer, Z Kirchner, D Babos, S Hobbs, L Belcher, L Fairbrother, J Davies, R Landman, L Evans, A Wainwright, H Keddie (captain). Replacements: E Shipp, G Ellis, L Brown, H Williams, L Greggains, S Pretorius, A Robson, C Edwards.

Benetton: I McKinley, L Sperandio, T Iannone, L Morisi, M Ioane, M Banks, T Tebaldi, M Zanusso, T Baravelle, T Pasquali, M Lazzaroni, I Hebst, A Sgarbi (captain), M Barbini, W Douglas. Replacements: H Faiva, F Zani, C Traore, M Fuser, F Minto, G Bronzini, M Zanon, A Bronzini.​

Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)