NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have returned to the tried and tested for their final tune-up for the Guinness Pro12 against Exeter at Rodney Parade on Friday evening (kick-off 7.30pm).

Head coach Kingsley Jones has given a clue to his thinking for the league opener against Ulster in Belfast, although a handful of starting spots still appear to be up for grabs.

The management handed out opportunities to fringe players and young talent in a 41-21 defeat to English Championship side Ealing Trailfinders but bring back most of their first team for the visit of last season’s Aviva Premiership runners-up.

Captain Lewis Evans sits out the clash against the Chiefs with Ed Jackson starting at number eight and Ollie Griffiths coming in at blindside in a mobile back row.

Sam Beard makes his first appearance in a Dragons jersey following his summer move from Edinburgh while the tight five features Craig Mitchell at tighthead and a second row of Matthew Screech and Cory Hill, influential South Africans Brok Harris and Rynard Landman not named in the squad ahead of the trip to Ireland.

Wales internationals Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan have not featured in pre-season following their summer exertions in New Zealand and once again sit it out.

With Elliot Dee missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, former Wales hooker Rhys Thomas starts at hooker with Rhys Buckley and Darran Harris set to get the chance to press their claims for a spot in the 23 at Ulster.

“We are very fortunate to have Rhys fit and healthy because he is a 100 per center and you won’t see a better professional than him,” said forwards coach Ceri Jones.

“He knows his way around the rugby field, and I remember him from when I was playing so that was a while ago!

“A man of that experience will be great for us and then it’s down to the other two. They’ve got to push on and there’s an opportunity for them with Elliot’s knock, which hopefully won’t see him out for too long.

“One person’s disappointment is another’s chance. Darran is a real livewire who is dynamic and all over the place whereas Rhys is a good scrummager and very good in the tight.

“There is a real contrast there and we can go either way with the way that we want to play it.”

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, A Warren, S Beard, P Howard, N Macleod, S Pretorius, S Hobbs, R Thomas (captain), C Mitchell, M Screech, C Hill, O Griffiths, N Cudd, E Jackson.

Replacements: R Buckley, T Davies, L Fairbrother, N Crosswell, H Keddie, L Jones, A O’Brien, D Harris, G Gasson, C Davies, GR Jones, A Sweet