NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will hand debuts to five players in tomorrow’s Guinness Pro12 opener against Connacht in Galway.

Former Wales and Lions full-back Lee Byrne will captain the side at the Sportsground and is joined in making his bow by loosehead Boris Stankovich, tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother, lock Rynard Landman and number eight Andy Powell.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has named a trio of teenage centres in his squad – starters Jack Dixon (19) and Tyler Morgan (18) along with replacement Barney Nightingale.

The Newport High School student from Chepstow could make his regional debut at the age of 17.

The Dragons have been using Cross Keys fly-half Dorian Jones at scrum-half in pre-season and he covers Jonathan Evans in the absence of Richie Rees.

Connacht are skippered by John Muldoon but are without former All Black Mils Muliaina because of an elbow injury while his compatriots Tom McCartney and Bundee Aki have ITM Cup commitments to fulfil before heading over from New Zealand.

Connacht: S Layden, N Adeolokun, D Leader, D McSharry, D Poolman, J Carty, I Porter, D Buckley, D Heffernan, N White, M Kearney, Q Roux, J Muldoon (captain), J Heenan, E McKeon. Replacements: S Henry, F Bealham, R Ah You, G Naoupu, W Faloon, K Marmion, M Nikora, C Finn.

Dragons: L Byrne (captain), T Prydie, T Morgan, J Dixon, A Brew, J Tovey, J Evans, B Stankovich, E Dee, L Fairbrother, A Coombs, R Landman, L Evans, N Cudd, A Powell. Replacements: R Thomas, O Evans, D Way, I Gough, T Faletau, D Jones, G R Jones, B Nightingale.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)