NEWPORT Gwent Dragons hand debuts to three of their summer arrivals for tomorrow night’s RaboDirect Pro12 opener with Zebre at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7pm).

The Dragons will be captained by hooker Steve Jones in the absence of openside Lewis Evans, whose calf injury means Jevon Groves is handed the number seven jersey.

Wales stars Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau join him in the back row while Andy Tuilagi and Pat Leach are paired together in midfield.

Dragons: Dan Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Andy Tuilagi, Tom Prydie, Steffan Jones; Wayne Evans ; Phil Price, Steve Jones, Dan Way, Ian Nimmo, Andrew Coombs, Dan Lydiate, Jevon Groves, Toby Faletau

Replacements: Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Nathan Buck, Adam Jones, Tom Brown, Jonathan Evans, Lewis Robling, Ashley Smith